Papuan Students Demand International Mediation
Wednesday, 28 October, 2009 | 19:30 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Indonesian diplomats stationed in European countries faced a protest by dozens of Papuan students during a visit by the diplomats to a university in Jayapura the seat of the province.

The students used the visit as an opportunity to demand proper handling over human rights abuse in the region, by urging the release of political prisoners and the establishement of a three party mediation to handle the human rights cases in the region.

They urged the 14 diplomats to extend their demands to Jakarta. Spokesman for the students, Elias Petege said the special autonomy status given by the central government was a measure to stem the cause of an independent Papua.

He said the status has failed to improve the living qualit of locals after eight years being imposed, which was reflected by poor education and health services in the mineral-rich region, where international mining giant like Freeport McMoran operates.

They demanded the government to facilitate an international-mediated dialogue to solve the problems.

CUNDING LEVI