Government to settle human rights cases in Papua

The Indonesian Government has committed to resolving all human rights cases in Papua by the end of this year, ANTARA News reported.

"I am optimistic that the human rights cases in Papua will be settled this year. The people of Papua also wish to settle the cases (and) the government will facilitate it," coordinating minister for political, security and legal affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said.

He said that he would also involve the commander of the defense forces (TNI) in the efforts to settle the cases.

Member of the Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights, Imdadul Rahmat, said that resolving these cases should be a long-term commitment of all parties.

"They must commit to enforce human rights in Papua so that such cases do not recur. There must be more approaches for a dialogue to deal with political stability in Papua so that Papua can enjoy real and everlasting peace acceptable to all," Rahmat explained.

He advised that the settlement of the 12 human rights cases in Papua must also comprehensively cover other concerns, such as land rights, traditional community rights and the welfare of the people of Papua.

All the parties involved must be in unison with the Government so that no institution later claims it had a different view on the matter.

"Such commitment must be enforced through law. We must not do things in a half-hearted fashion," Rahmat said.

Date: 19 May 2016

Source ANTARA News