Papuans discuss peace efforts

JAYAPURA: A two-day peace conference will begin here on Tuesday to seek a common understanding among Papuans in solving any conflict in the territory peacefully.

The forum is organized by the Papua administration and the provincial legislature in cooperation with the Institute for Human Rights Studies and Advocacy (Elsham), a local non- governmental organization.

At least 150 representatives from all the regencies in the troubled province of Papua, including military leaders and bureaucrats, will take part in the conference.

Local community and religious leaders, women's activists and tribesmen will also attend the conference.

Elsham director Yohanis G. Bonay said on Monday that the conference was aimed at "building mutual understanding about the various problems arising in Papua and finding ways of overcoming them peacefully."

It is also intended to push for all sides to declare Papua a "Zone of Peace" and to help provide input for the local legislature in drafting regulations that could help ensure peace in Papua, he added. --Antara