Jayapura – The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has strongly criticised a statement by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo who condemned the bomb attack in Tehran, Iran.
They believe that this criticism is only a pretence to attract international sympathy, while violence against the people of Papua continues without end.
"President Jokowi's statement about attacks on Tehran is nothing more than an image building effort before the eyes of the world", said ULMWP Executive President Menase Tabuni in a press release received by Jubi on Saturday July 3.
He asserted that at the same time, the Indonesian government is still using a brutal military approach in Papua, without any real effort to protect human rights in the region.
Violence against Papuan figures
The ULMWP revealed that the Indonesian government through the security forces had murdered several important Papuan figures.
They cited several names such as Papua national figure Arnold Clemens Ap along with his cousin Eduard Mofu, artists and cultural figures from the music group Mambesak as well as Papuan Presidium Council (PDP) President and Papuan independence figure Theys Hiyo Eluay.
Not to forget Free Papua Organisation (OPM) leader Kelly Kwalik, West Papua National Committee (KNPB) leader Mako Tabuni and former Papua governor Lukas Enembe, who also became victims of violence.
"These figures were killed in a very tragic way by the security forces. Unfortunately, until now there has been no fair legal process for the perpetrators", asserted Tabuni.
Indonesia's double standards
In international forums, Indonesia is often seen supporting human rights, especially related to minority issues in countries such as Palestine, Mindanao, the Uighur, Rohingya and Pattani.
However, ULMWP believes that these actions are the complete opposite to the policies implemented in Papua, where the government actually mobilises thousands of military personnel.
"Indonesia seems to have two faces. On the one hand they talk about human rights in another country, but in Papua, they sent more than 47,000 troops to put down their own people", said Tabuni.
Human rights violations
Over the almost ten years of President Widodo's administration, the ULMWP has not seen any no improvement in the handling human rights violations in Papua. According to reports by various independent institutions, the situation in Papua has in fact become worse.
"Indonesia has a human rights law, but they have not ratified the Rome Statutes, which could provide justice for victims of human rights violations. As a result, the perpetrators continue to enjoy impunity", said Tabuni.
Call to international community
The ULMWP is urging the international community not to ignore the situation that is unfolding in Papua. They stress the importance of global attention to human rights violations that are getting worse in the region.
"We will continue to fight for justice and freedom for the people of Papua, despite facing heavy pressure from the Indonesian government", concluded Tabuni.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "ULMWP Tuduh Jokowi Berpura-pura Peduli HAM, Sembunyikan Kekerasan Di Papua".]
