JAYAPURA, SUARAPAPUA.com— The Pacific Conference of Churches regrets the recent sadistic torture of indigenous Melanesians in West Papua, perpetrated by the Indonesian Government through members of the TNI.
“This horrific incident is sadly just the latest in six decades of Indonesian oppression of the people of West Papua,” Rev James Bhagwan, PCC General Secretary told suarapapua.com on, Sunday (14/4/2024) via electronic message from Suva, Fiji.
The Pacific Conference of Churches’ statement was delivered in relation to three Papuans tortured by TNI officers in Puncak, Central Papua Province. The videos of the torture were widely spread on social media.
Rev Bhagwan said the Indonesian government, which is a signatory to a number of UN conventions, should guarantee the civil and political rights of its citizens, including West Papuans, regardless of their political ideology or religious beliefs.
“The Indonesian government is also supposed to do the same under the so-called special autonomy law. Yet, people who express their rights as indigenous peoples, expressing their voices that differ with the government, are harassed and brutally tortured,” he said.
He said it should be noted that Indonesia, which strives to be respected by the international community, has been re-elected for another term as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council (2024-2026).
“Are the countries supporting Indonesia’s candidacy as a member of the UN Human Rights Council saying that they are comfortable with human rights violations?”
“With the Melanesian Spearhead Group Foreign Officials Meeting coming to an end in anticipation of the upcoming MSG Leaders’ Summit, the question is, how can the MSG members continue to allow Indonesia, which has policies and practices that dehumanise, disempower and deprive the rights of Melanesian women, children, and men, to remain a member?”
“Therefore in the name of justice, which is an expression of divine love; and at a time when most Pacific peoples are contemplating the betrayal, arbitrary arrests, torture, sham trials, and executions of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, we call for the suspension, or even expulsion of Indonesia from the MSG should they not agree to facilitate a UN Human Rights visit to West Papua,” concluded Rev Bhagwan.
