The West Papuan Refugees Ordered to Leave Site

What Indonesian government should do is to help west papuan refugees from West Papua whenever they need help. This is not only an obligation in the view of humanitarian perspective, but  also an opportunity to show the world that the democratic Indonesia is attentive to human rights issue. Hopefully that the diplomatic ties between Indonesia and PNG can solve the problem of West Papuan refugees.

Here is the news:

ACTING Prime Minister Dr Puka Temu yesterday told the West Papuans sheltering at the Boroko police station to leave or face being forced out by police.

He said the Lands Department had identified portions of land at Gerehu and Morata for these people to settle on temporarily.

Dr Temu told reporters that there was no any threat from the relatives of the senior magistrate who was stoned to death by some of the West Papuans at the Ela Beach.

He said relatives and Engan leaders had resolved the issue and there was no threat for them to take refuge at the police station.

Dr Temu said the people can move and stay with relatives, while the Lands Department and the NCDC make temporary arrangements for them to resettle on the state land.

The Acting Prime Minister said the commission would look after them on humanitarian grounds by providing amenities for these people.

He said: “From the humanitarian point of view, it is regrettable that the West Papuan families had to endure such hardship for a lengthy period of time, especially the women and children.”
I am however pleased that the Government has taken steps and is in the process of finding an amicable solution to their problem.”

Dr Temu also said the Government will not deport them and that the Government has given them permissive residency permits which disqualifies their bid for seeking asylum in a third country.

He said as a party to the 1951 convention relating to the status of refugees which PNG had acceded to in July 1986, the Government while obligated, can only assist to the point of working together with the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in identifying a third country that would be willing to accept them.

source Post Courier