Novali Panji Nugroho, Imam Hamdi, Jakarta – Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid says that the government needs to immediately open a dialogue with pro-independence groups and traditional figures in Papua. According to Hamid, this step is the most appropriate way to resolve the violent conflict in Papua.

"It's time to negotiate, while stopping violence and human rights violations", Hamid said when contacted on Friday April 11.

Recently, the conflict in Papua has escalated. The West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement or TPNPB-OPM has killed dozens of civilians working as gold miners in Yahukimo regency, Papuan Highlands, since April 6.

According to Hamid, this situation is caused by the country's exploitative economic policies towards the Papuan people. The government, he said, also tends to ignore the voices of indigenous Papuans in making decisions. "In addition, the government still prioritises a security approach rather than a dialogue approach", he said.

Indonesian Military (TNI) Information Centre head Brigadier General Kristomei Sianturi says that the military will continue to take a humanist approach in the Papua region, following the attacks carried out by the OPM-TPNPB on civilians. The TNI, he said, will also conduct territorial guidance and security for civilians.

Meanwhile, TPNPB-OPM spokesperson Sebby Sambom said that his group does not plan to carry out any further attacks in Yahukimo regency. According to Sambom, currently TPNPB troops are only on standby.

The TPNPB-OPM, he said, will only attack if there are troops entering areas that had previously been designated as war zones. "They're Just on standby. If there are soldiers or police entering operational areas, be ready to fight", Sambom said.

– Vedro Imanuel contributed to writing this article

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Amnesty Internasional: Dialog Jadi Solusi Akhiri Konflik Papua".]

Source: https://www.tempo.co/politik/amnesty-internasional-dialog-jadi-solusi-akhiri-konflik-papua-1230203