Indonesia starts reparations program for victims of its bloody past
Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Tuesday launched an unprecedented reparation program for victims of past human rights abuses by the state, a project critics fear will compensate only a small fraction of those who suffered. Jokowi, as the President is known, in January expressed deep regret over 12 deadly events from 1965-2003 […]
How Indonesian village aid funds weapons for Papua’s rebellion
Jakarta, IndonesiaReuters Separatists in the Indonesian region of Papua where a New Zealand pilot was taken hostage in February have been siphoning off government aid money to buy black market guns for a deadly guerrilla war, officials say. The “Dana Desa” village fund introduced by President Joko Widodo in 2015 and valued at $US4.7 billion […]
Deadlier and more media savvy, separatist rebels evolve in Indonesia’s Papua
Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters Egianus Kogoya, the dreadlocked rebel behind the kidnapping of a New Zealand pilot this month in the highlands of Indonesia’s Papua region, is at the vanguard of an increasingly dangerous and media-savvy insurgency for independence. Separatist rebels kidnapped New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens, 37, after he landed his small plane in the […]
Papuan tribes fear sacrifice of sago forests that stave off hunger
FEBRIANA FIRDAUS, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports on the fight for the sago forests in Indonesia’s Papua and West Papua provinces…
Indonesian President open to dialogue with Papuan separatists
Jakarta, IndonesiaReuters Indonesian President Joko Widodo has opened the door to holding talks with separatists in the restive easternmost region of Papua, a departure from the stance of previous governments and some of his cabinet ministers. The offer, which drew a cautious response from Papuan leaders, comes after seven weeks of violence triggered by racist […]
Indonesia arrests 34, blocks internet in Papua to curb protests
Timika/Jakarta, IndonesiaReuters Indonesia has arrested 34 people and cut internet access in its easternmost region of Papua to rein in violence after protesters torched buildings, a market and a prison over mistreatment of students and perceived ethnic discrimination. Police have flown in 1,200 more officers to quell sometimes violent protests since Monday in towns such […]
Indonesia’s President urges calm after violent protests in Papua cities
Jakarta, IndonesiaReuters Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday sought to ease tension after violent protests in several cities in Papua in response to claims of racist abuse and physical mistreatment of students from the country’s easternmost region. His chief security minister, Wiranto, also pledged a “complete and fair” investigation into incidents in East Java that […]
“Ill-advised” Papua highway imperils indigenous rights, rainforests – activists
Thomson Reuters Foundation A highway under construction in Indonesia’s Papua province is hurting the environment and stoking conflict by threatening indigenous land rights, analysts and activists said. The Trans Papua highway is part of Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s plan to develop the impoverished eastern province, and open up access to its abundant natural resources. But […]