Andreas Gerry Tuwo, Jakarta – It turns out that the demonstrations currently taking place at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta are not just being held by labour organisations opposing the increase in the price of subsidised fuel.

In the midst of the demonstrations, scores of Papuans could also be seen holding a protest action on Wednesday December 10. Although less in number, the Papuan action attracted considerable attention because the protesters from the eastern most part of the motherland were wearing traditional Papuan clothing, penis gourds.

The protest action, which was led by the Papua Human Rights Coalition of Concern (Koalisi Peduli HAM Papua), was held to demand justice over human rights violations that have occurred in the land of Papua.

The group took to the streets in response to the shooting of 10 Papuan civilians in Paniai regency, Papua, on December 8. They rejected allegations that the shooting was carried out by group from the Free Papua Movement or OPM.

They instead accused the TNI (Indonesian military) and Polri (Indonesian police) as being the parties most responsible for the shooting. “We need the voices of all those interested in human rights to fight for the Papuan people’s right to life”, said the group in a written statement.

In addition to this, they also demanded to be allowed to step in and resolve the human rights problem in Papua because the government has unable to provide protection to the Papuan people. (Rmn/Sun)

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the report was “Pakai Koteka, Warga Papua Protes di Tengah Demo Buruh”]

Source: http://news.liputan6.com/read/2145486/pakai-koteka-warga-papua-protes-di-tengah-demo-buruh