All Parties Invited to Collaborate in Creating Peace in Papua

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai has invited all parties to sit together to find solutions for achieving peace in Papua. “Don’t be stubborn. Let’s all sit down together and discuss creating a peaceful Papua. All communities, whether the military, OPM, KKB, or the people of Papua, unite to create a peaceful Papua,” said Pigai during a press conference at the Ministry of Human Rights building in South Jakarta on Monday. This statement was made in relation to the deaths of 15 civilians who were shot during a firefight between security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army (TNPPB) in Kembru village, Sinak District, Puncak Regency, Central Papua, on Tuesday (14/4). According to Pigai, the responsibility for creating peace in Papua does not lie solely with the executive branch but also with the legislative and judicial branches. To reach a major political decision, Pigai said all parties must sit together and seek solutions to the problems occurring in Papua. “So, to create a peaceful Papua comprehensively, together with all components of the Indonesian nation to make joint decisions,” said Pigai. Therefore, he asked that no one party or group be blamed, including the executive, judiciary, legislature, TNI, Police, or political parties. He continued that some efforts the Ministry of Human Rights will undertake include going directly to trace the causes and effects of this case and encouraging involved parties to admit their actions. With these efforts, Pigai hopes the shooting of civilians in Kembruk can be quickly uncovered and the perpetrators dealt with fairly under the law. Previously, 22 civilians were victims of shootings amid the firefight in Kembruk. Based on data from the Ministry of Human Rights, seven people who were injured consist of three children and four adults. All victims have received intensive treatment in hospital to date. To this day, the Ministry of Human Rights is still investigating whether there are children among the fatalities from the incident.