Thursday, January 27, 2011

Papuan protesters call on government to implement MRP recommendations

KRjogja.com - January 27, 2011
Yogyakarta – A group of Papuans in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta from the Anti-Colonial Movement (Ganja) held a protest action in the Jl. Malioboro area on Thursday January 27. During the action, they called to the Home Affairs Minister to fulfill the 11 recommendations made by the Papuan People's Council (MRP).

"Papua has been given special autonomy since 2001, yet the central government has never implemented it and violates it itself. The MRP, which represents an independent council of indigenous Papuans has made 11 recommendations, including among others free education and welfare improvements, however this has not been fulfilled by the Home Affairs Minister", explained action coordinator Leczhy Degey during a break in the action.

Leczhy said that the special autonomy provided by the central government has failed to be implemented because it has been manipulated by the central government itself. Ganja is calling on the central government to respond to and implement the MRP's recommendations and is asking the central government to provide the broadest possible democracy to the Papuan people.

"We ask that the Papuan governor, the West Papua governor, the Papua and West Papua DPRD (Regional House of Representatives), and all regents and mayors throughout Papua put an end to policies that don't side with the interests of indigenous Papuan people", he asserted.

The action, which continued for around one hour, proceeded peacefully under security by the Yogyakarta municipal tactical police unit. After giving speeches, the demonstrators disbanded in an orderly manner. (Den)

[Translated by James Balowski.]