Ratu Annisaa Suryasumirat, Jakarta – Coordinating Minister for Security, Politics and Legal Affairs Wiranto has responded to plans by separatist figure Benny Wanda to take the Papua conflict to the United Nations Human Rights (HAM) High Commission which met in Geneva on Monday September 9.
Wiranto said that the government has already sent Indonesia’s permanent representative (Watapri) to the UN to explain the real situation in relation to the riots which broke out in several parts of Papua and West Papua recently.
“Our Watapri to the UN in Geneva, Pak [Mr] Hasan Kleib has already met with the human rights high commissioner to convey the truth”, said Wiranto at the Media Centre building in the Coordinating Ministry for Security, Politics and Legal Affairs building in Jakarta on Monday September 9.
Wiranto explained that the correct information must be conveyed to the international community so that there is no misunderstanding because, according to Wiranto, there has been a great deal of misinformation about the conflicts that have taken place in Papua and West Papua.
This includes claims of human rights (HAM) violations, widespread killings and actions demanding independence which have not actually happened in Papua.
“Lest this (wrong) information be accepted by the HAM High Commission as the truth”, said Wiranto.
Furthermore, Wiranto also responded to the issue of news reports which say there are countries which support Papua’s desire for independence and a referendum. According to Wiranto it is impossible for this to happen.
“I want to convey that international legal channels are already closed, their desire for a referendum is absurd, it is no longer relevant under [current] international and domestic legal conditions”, he said.
Wiranto added that what is of concern to the government at the moment is future steps to build the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). Papua, as part of Indonesia, must also enjoy even development.
“Later we will continue with dialogue about how to develop Papua in the future. So that there is an acceleration of development which can better bring prosperity to and advance the Papuan people”, said Wiranto.
“And as it turns out we have a great many friends there, traditional community figures and regional leaders who understand that the best choice is to maintain the NKRI, including Papua and West Papua, to together build the NKRI into the future”, he concluded.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “Wiranto Kirim Utusan ke PBB Jelaskan Konflik di Papua”.]
Source: https://www.liputan6.com/news/read/4058615/wiranto-kirim-utusan-ke-pbb-jelaskan-konflik-di-papua
