TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Amnesty International executive director Usman Hamid said he would lodge the latest report of his organization on Papuan issues titled “Civil and Political Rights Violations in Papua and West Papua” to the United Nations (UN).

Usman said the report, which is specifically addressed to the UN Committee on Civil and Political Rights, highlighted at least five lingering major issues in Papua.

“This is a periodical report that is usually included on the list of issues canvassed in their sessions, particularly this session, which is session 29, which will last from June-July 2020,” Usman said in a teleconference on Friday, June 5, 2020.

Usman said Amnesty International underscored in its report, among others, the ongoing rights violations in the form of murders and reckless arrests.

The second issue is the shackling of freedom in Papua, particularly freedom of speech and freedom to assemble and socialize, and freedom of expression, particularly on issues relative to racial discrimination.

Third, Amnesty International also touches on political prisoners or prisoners of conscience, who are mostly deprived of their right to a fair trial.

The Amnesty report also underlines the limited press freedom in Papua, including governmental censorship and the internet blackout during the deadly 2019 rioting.

The last issue is the fate of some 5,000 refugees in Nduga regency, who according to Amnesty International have been left in limbo to date.

“Until now, the refugees in Nduga are in need of serious attention, such as water access, health, houses and legal protection,” Usman said.

EGI ADYATAMA