Komnas HAM Laments Absence of Papua Issues in Election Debate

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A commissioner at the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), Amiruddin Al Rahab, lamented issues on security and governance in Papua were not discussed during the fourth presidential debate on Saturday, March 30.

Amiruddin deemed that the issues had direct relations to the debate’s theme, which addressed ideology, governance, security, defense as well as international relations.

"If we look at the law, issues in Papua should be discussed during Saturday’s debate because they were related to diplomacy, defense, security as well as governance," said Amiruddin at a press conference at the Komnas HAM office in Jakarta, Monday, April 1.

He added that the absence of the issues in each presidential debate made the public unaware of what steps the candidates would take in dealing with problems in the country’s easternmost province. While in fact, issues concerning security and governance in the region have yet to be resolved by the government to date. 

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"Will there be just like this as usual or something new later. We hope for a better condition of Papua,” he underlined.

Tempo Magazine in its latest edition published Monday, April 1, 2019, reported that military operations in Nduga, Papua are still afoot. The Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) is still guarding a number of access points to the regency. In addition, thousands of Nduga people displaced by the conflict are still at refugee camps in Wamena.

According to Amiruddin, the presidential candidates must elaborate their plans on how to seriously cope with the possible impact of the conflict in Papua. "Such as how to face armed groups and what strategic plans will be made. We don't know what they are. So perhaps, that's the [future president’s] homework," he concluded.

IQBAL TAWAKAL LAZUARDI (CONTRIBUTOR)