LIPI Researcher Talks of 4 Conflict Sources in Papua

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) researcher on Papuan studies, Rosita Dewi, assessed the noncompletion of several cases regarding human rights violations in Papua resulted in the resolution failure of conflicts related to the region.

In a book entitled Papua Road Map by Papuan studies team published in 2009, there are four conflict sources in the eastern province of Indonesia, including the negligence of several past human rights violations cases.

“Besides, there are issues of the history and political status, development failure, and marginalization,” said Rosita as quoted from news agency Antara, Monday, August 19.

According to her, those issues were also triggered the persecution act against Papuan university students in Malang and Surabaya.

“This is not the first incident, similar incidents such as in Jogja and other regions had happened,” she said.

The practice of racism in the persecution act then angered college students and people in Papua which resulted in the mass demonstration, that turned into a riot in Manokwari and Sorong, West Papua. The mob fired the building of West Papua Legislative Council (DPRD), destroyed airport and penitentiary in Sorong.

“What happened in Sorong, Manokwari is a form of anger toward the incident against Papuan students in Malang,” she said.

She further opined balanced, firm, and just law enforcement is necessary to deal with the current ongoing issue.

“The investigation should be into all parties, either college students or perpetrators of persecution and racism. Moreover, the problem-solving in Papua must be conducted simultaneously and continuously,” she concluded.

ANTARA