ICRC told to probe Irian Jaya killings<\/p>\n
JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Nduga and Amungsa tribespeople in
\nJayawijaya regency have demanded that the Geneva-based
\nInternational Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) investigate
\nkilling which occurred in Mapnduma district in 1996.<\/p>\n
In a statement made available to The Jakarta Post on
\nWednesday, the highland tribespeople also accused ICRC's
\nSoutheast Asia office in Jakarta of involvement in the massacre.<\/p>\n
Witnesses claim that a plane bearing the Red Cross logo
\ntransported military personnel in the operation.<\/p>\n
The killings took place from January to May 1996 when the
\nIndonesian Military was trying to gain the release of 24 people
\nabducted by the Free Papua Movement (OPM).<\/p>\n
At least 12 people were reportedly killed during the military
\noperation led by the then commander of the Army's Special Force
\n(Kopassus), Brig. Gen. Prabowo Subianto. Two of the hostages were
\nkilled by unidentified people.<\/p>\n
Johanes Bonay, the executive director of the Institute of
\nHuman Rights Studies and Advocacy (IHRSTAD) said the tribespeople
\nwere advised to report to the Geneva-based ICRC after the House
\nof Representatives failed to respond to similar reports in August
\nby IHRSTAD, the Catholic Church, the Evangelical Christian Church
\nand the Indonesian Bible Camp Church.<\/p>\n
The tribespeople also asked Geneva ICRC to investigate the
\nalleged involvement of British SAS intelligence in the military
\noperation.<\/p>\n
The statement signed by 894 Irianese also said that ICRC
\nshould make public the result of the investigation and support
\nthe legal processing of those involved in the massacre.
\n\"Otherwise its credibility will be ruined.\" (34)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/icrc-told-to-probe-irian-jaya-killings-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}