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PNG prime minister calls for end to human rights abuses by Indonesian forces

PAPUA NEW GUINEA Prime Minister James Marape joined condemnation of human rights abuses by Indonesian forces in neighbouring West Papua yesterday, warning: “No human beings deserve to be killed, especially on their own land.”

Mr Marape raised his concerns as Indonesian authorities continue to take a hard-line approach against peaceful protests demanding independence for West Papua.

Indonesian authorities have banned demonstrations and speeches promoting separatism, deploying at least 6,000 security personnel on the streets.

Leader of the United Movement for the Liberation of West Papua Benny Wenda reiterated calls for a referendum to determine the region’s future.

He said it was the only solution to the escalating violence, which has seen a number of independence campaigners killed and political leaders jailed.

“As Indonesia deliberately tries to create ethnic conflict in West Papua with militia, I must stress that, for West Papuans, our enemy is not the Indonesian people.

“Our enemy is only the system of colonisation. We will not be provoked. Our peaceful struggle is for a referendum,” he said.

West Papua was annexed by Indonesia in 1969. This followed a “fake referendum” in which a handpicked group of 1,022 Papuans were coerced into ratifying the Indonesian occupation through the so-called Act of Free Choice.

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