Jayapura, Jubi – Papua legislator Laurenzus Kadepa reminded both current and future regional heads in Papua to urge the Central Government to change its military approach to Papua and put an end to human rights violations.

A member of Commission I of the Papua Legislative Council for Government, Politics, Legal and Human Rights Affairs, Kadepa warned the Indonesian government that international support for Papua has increased.

"It is impossible for other countries, especially the countries in Pacific, to pay attention to Indonesia without any reasons, whether it has done a historical mistake or whatever. It would also become the task of the elected heads to correct the mistakes that occurred in Papua. It's not only the Central Government's responsibility, because the local heads are the extended of the Central Government in the province and municipal/regency," Kadepa told Jubi by phone on Thursday (29/9/2016).

The local heads should also follow the current dynamics, in particular on the Papua issue upon the international community instead of being paid and do nothing but let the State become a spotlight and take all the responsibilities. The local heads in Papua have a duty to assist the State to find a resolution of Papua issue and change the method of approach towards Papuan people.

"The regional heads should not only build their own good image in the media everyday and do not understand about the Papua issue and where the direction of the State would go. Do not just say that you stand for the unison of the Republic of Indonesia but do not understand about the State's internal issue. They should able to see this dynamics globally for being able to help the Central Government in correcting the system that was applied for Papua, especially the military approach," he said.

He said although the regional heads in Papua are from many different political parties, but they should be united to see the progress in Papua and urge the Central Government to change their method towards Papua that tends to see Papua from the political side.

"As the result the approach used for Papua is the military system and it is only to raise the issue of free Papua and the international community's support. The world's intervention towards Papua issue is like a slap in the face. Now, there are not only six countries showing their supports to Papua but seven. If the condition in Papua are not changing, it would gain many more supports," he added.

Separately, another Papua legislator Ruben Magai said the international supports towards Papua have described about something wrong has been happened in Papua.

"It means that something wrong was considered happening. Other countries would not continuously highlight it if nothing is not wrong," said Magai. According to him, it cannot be denied that the Papua issue has been worldwide. Other countries always keep monitoring the progress of Papua, especially the countries in the Pacific region. (*/rom)

Source: http://tabloidjubi.com/eng/regional-heads-papua-unite-end-military-approach/