Concern in West Papua - rising tensions in Timika

Cause of concern in West Papua -rising tensions in Timika.

Seven migrants were beaten in Timika last night resulting in two deaths. The other five are reported to be critically ill in hospital.

Although those responsible for the attack are unknown. There is grave danger that local Papuan people who are against the division of the province will be blamed and in particular Lemasa , the local peoples organisation who is known to be opposed to the breakup of the province.

A large group of angry migrants numbering about 500 are reported to be taking the body of one of the dead migrants to the airport to be flown back to Sulawesi. The danger is that the military could use this situation to stir up conflict between the migrants and local Papuans and between those groups who are pro and anti division of the province.

There are a hundred Brimob from Sulawesi in Timika and an extra 100 are to be brought in from Jaypura. Until the present bloody repression in Aceh Papua was the most militarised part of Indonesia. More troops can only add to the increased tensions in the town.

AWPA, Sydney calls on the Australian government and politicians from all parties to urge the Indonesian government to do all in its power to control its military and police in the province and to do all it can to ease tensions between migrants and local West Papuans.

The coming visit to Australia of Kopassus chief could give our government the chance to express and act on the concerns of the continuing human rights violations in Indonesia sadly affecting the civilian population.

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