The advocacy groups of the Catholic Church in Papua have urged the Indonesian government to protect civilians from violence in the predominantly Christian region.
"Violence in Papua has transformed from sporadic, occasional, irregular incidents into a permanent and structured, ongoing, continuous and widespread system," they said in an appeal released at a press conference on Aug. 23
The appeal was signed by leaders of the Secretariat and the Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the Jayapura Diocese, Agats Diocese, Timika Diocese, Franciscan and Augustinian religious groups.
"Until early August 2024, we have noted several concerning things in Papua in the civil, political, economic, social and cultural fields," the leaders said and added that the violence was causing "psychological wounds" to people in Papua.
The groups stressed that this was "not only a security issue but also a complex humanitarian issue."
They also urged President Joko Widodo to find a solution to the security problem. The leaders added that the National Human Rights Commission should follow up on reports related to alleged human rights violations that have so far stalled.
Father Alexandro Rangga of the Franciscans' Secretariat for Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation told UCA News that all the bishops supported the final draft of the appeal.
"There are specific problems in various dioceses, but all of them end in the marginalization of the rights of indigenous Papuans," he said.
In the latest incident on Aug. 20, security forces allegedly shot dead Tobias Silak, 22, and injured Naro Nabral, 17, in Yahukimo Regency, Papua Highland Province, triggering protests by local residents.
Global rights group Amnesty International said the security forces and rebels were involved in 236 killings of civilians between January 2018 and June this year.
The church groups deplored the Indonesian government's attempts to establish political control over Papua through military interventions.
They also pointed to the uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources, the seizure of customary land and increasing migration of people from outside the region.
The leaders added that the indigenous Papuans are losing hope as "they feel the future is uncertain and their voices are not heard. "
"They do not believe in the promises of the government and feel lied to," they added.
The leaders also urged church institutions not to remain silent. They "must call out the prophetic voice for truth, justice, peace and the integrity of creation," they added.
Of the 4.4 million people in Papua, 700,000 are Catholic, while Protestants are more than three million.
Source: https://www.ucanews.com/news/church-urges-indonesian-govt-to-end-violence-in-papua/10615