Jakarta – The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) states that mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia (FI) has often incited tension and violence in Papua.

"PT FI has often become the source of problems in the province, creating heated tension and unnecessary violence between the locals and company management," Komnas HAM chief Ifdhal Kasim said during a meeting with lawmakers on Wednesday as quoted by tribunnews.com.

Komnas HAM deputy chief Ridha Saleh echoed the statement, saying that Freeport has always been cited as the source of the problems in the province in every meeting with Papuan church leaders.

"They said that PT FI had taken too much from Papua but had given nothing in return," he said. Ridha added that PT FI had also never acknowledged Papuan special autonomy.

Adding that, "It only wants to acknowledge the central government as its working partner."