European NGOs involved in human rights dialogue with Indonesia

 

 

 

The Faith-Based Network on West-Papua (FBN) has given its input on the draft agenda for the dialogue. The FBN continues to press the situation in Papua on the agenda. It has provided the organisers with ways to raise issues specific to Papua as well as cases of human rights violations.

 

Although this dialogue is an important step towards progress in human rights in Indonesia, some key issues are left untouched. Papua is not a separate agenda point, and neither are freedom of expression, security sector reforms, EcoSoc rights nor human rights defenders.

 

The human rights dialogue meeting is the first meeting between Indonesia and the EU on human rights. The EU is hopeful it will lead to annual meetings. In Jakarta, human rights organisations have also been invited to give their input to the EU delegation.

 

The Faith-Based Network on West-Papua was founded by faith-based organisations to support efforts by religious leaders to promote peace, justice and human rights in West Papua. The religious leaders – Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu, Muslim, and Protestant – want to provide a free and just living space for the Papuans. A "Land of Peace" is not merely a geographical area free of violence. It is a social condition, in which the socio-cultural, economic and political problems Papuans face today are resolved without the use of violence. Justitia et Pax holds the FBN secretariat.

 

In May, the FBN published a report on human rights in West-Papua. It appears that human rights violations increased in 2009. Topics include the elections, freedom of expression, security situation, the impact of palm plantations on the native population and the right to education. The situation in West-Papua remains tense, especially with the increased military presence. It causes an atmosphere of fear and tension among the Papuan population.