Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has stressed that the people of\nPapua may demand welfare, justice and their rights, but not independence\nfrom the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).<\/p>\n
According to him, expressing aspirations and fighting for various\ncommunity issues remains permissible as long as it is done through means\nthat comply with the law and the constitution.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is not allowed is to declare \u2018We want independence, separate\nfrom Indonesia.\u2019 That is not allowed. Everything else is allowed, no\nproblem. As long as it is done in the right way, defending people, the\nlaw protects, and the legal basis is clear,\u201d Pigai said during a working\nvisit to the Central Papua Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) in\nNabire on Monday (17\/8), as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
Pigai said that demands for the people of Papua to obtain a\nprosperous, just, wealthy and healthy life are in fact part of\nimplementing the constitutional mandate that must be fought for.<\/p>\n
Therefore, the public need not be afraid to raise issues of injustice\nas long as they have a legal basis and are pursued through legitimate\nmechanisms.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut if you ask for the people of Papua to be prosperous, just,\nwealthy, healthy and secure, you are actually carrying out the mandate\nof the 1945 Constitution. That must be fought for in word and deed.\nNever be afraid to speak out about injustice,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Pigai encouraged the public and legislative members in Central Papua\nto prioritise evidence-based advocacy by gathering facts, data,\ninformation and documentation about the problems experienced by the\ncommunity.<\/p>\n
According to him, complaints accompanied by evidence can be processed\nthrough legal mechanisms until they produce binding court decisions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am saying this because I am in a conflict area. If I were in the\nprovincial capital, I would not possibly know the details. The aim is to\nhelp protect the community and provide justice to the people,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Pigai also assessed that strengthening access to justice needs to be\ndone by bringing law enforcement institutions closer to communities in\nconflict areas.<\/p>\n
Pigai said he had received proposals to establish a prosecutor\u2019s\noffice to serve the Paniai area and its surroundings as well as Puncak\nJaya, Mulia and the surrounding areas.<\/p>\n
However, according to him, the presence of prosecutors, police and\ncourts must be balanced with the strength of civil society and advocates\nwho can accompany residents in fighting for their rights.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe question is, there will certainly be judges, there will\ncertainly be prosecutors, there will certainly be police. Now, who is\nthe defender for the community? Who is the lawyer? Who advocates for\nthem?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Pigai stressed that strengthening community advocacy is not an act\nthat opposes the state as long as it is carried out based on the law. He\ninstead encouraged the emergence of more defenders of justice, truth and\nhumanity in Papua.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs long as we have a voice, at least we dare to express it. Keep\nbringing forth defenders of justice, truth and humanity in Papua. If\neach side competes to bring forth defenders of humanity, then a sun of\njustice will rise starting from Central Papua,\u201d he said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/human-rights-minister-pigai-papuans-may-demand-anything-except-independence-1787017942", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }