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.

Human Rights Report on Papua

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is one of the most influential human rights defender in the world. However, it is clear that 2008 HRW report on Indonesia was made by too simple and too fast in jumping into conclusion. For example: about threats and intimidation against human rights defenders that HRW said significantly increased in Papua and West Papua was not clear and the evidents were not convincing. I am afraid that the HRW monitoring team in Indonesia consists of amateurs who do not understand the problem in Papua and West Papua.