Religious leaders in West Papua are calling on the United Nations to investigate allegations of human rights abuse and a growing military presence in the contested Indonesian territory.
The West Papua Council of Churches has written to the UN Human Rights Commission to send investigators to look at the conditions of refugees who fled fighting three years ago in the region of Nduga.
Council members say they’re concerned that Indonesia has failed to deal with a humanitarian crisis unfolding in West Papua.
Rode Wanimbo of the Evangelical Church said it’s frustrating that the UN and neighbours like Australia are not willing to respond to a growing crisis there.
The Council of Churches also raised concern about the use of military officials as teachers in provincial schools.
“We have been living in trauma especially the children…when we see the army in uniform it creates further trauma,” said Ms Wanimbo.
Indonesia gave permission in principle to the UN Human Rights Commissioner to visit West Papua in 2019 but that trip failed to happen because of scheduling and safety issues.
HEAR THE STORY: https://ab.co/3mRlq2e
Melanesia Church 