Answers to Frequently Asked Questions on Papua

To access the full report including the extensive footnotes visit the International Crisis Group website (registration required).

NO PART OF INDONESIA generates as much distorted reporting the western half of New Guinea that has been home to an independence movement since the 1960s. Some sources, mostly outside Indonesia, paint a picture of a closed killing field where the Indonesian army, backed by militia forces, perpetrates genocide against a defenceless people struggling for freedom. A variant has the army and multinational companies joining forces to despoil Papua and rob it of its own resources.

The British Human Rights Report 2007

A very important note was stated in British Human Rights Report 2007.  I think it would be great if a peaceful dialogue among Papuan, Papua local government, Indonesia central government, Indonesian civil society, Papuan local NGO, and national NGO can be held openly and sincerely. The implementation of special autonomy should be discussed carefully in an honest atmosphere as a vital step to resolve the complex problem of Papua. Hostile action and negative propaganda by some radicals should be stopped. Violation of human rights by some military unit should also be stopped. At the same time, during the process of dialogue among parties in Papua, restrictions on access to Papua by NGOs and journalists should be loosen, so the world will see the reality of positive development in Papua. Hopefully, some irresponsible Papuan who take economical and political opportunity in foreign countries will realise that their action is only worsening the situation in Papua.

Papua Indigenous Peoples Empowerment (PIPE) Programme

Do international community aware that there are many programmes in regard to the development of Papuans? Those programmes are not only initiated by Indonesian government and local government of West Papua and Papua Province, but also supported by international donor agencies such as UNDP, ILO, and many other international NGOs.