Students call leaders, organisations to address West Papua issues

Education

“HOW can we call ourselves a Christian nation if we cannot have the decency to give legitimate attention and help to our neighbours?”
It was a question posed to Tribe-FM listeners by grade 9 students from Jubilee Catholic Secondary School.
The students raised the question in their discussion of the topic ‘Freedom for West Papua’ during the during the programme last Wednesday.
Their session ranged with a history of Indonesia and West Papua, devastating factors that drove the situation to where it is today, human rights abuse, the need to address the topic and a strong recommendation for action by churches and government.
Introducing the topic, Eva Totome gave a brief history of how West Papua became a part of Indonesia. She said much of the political play for West Papua’s freedom, especially in 1969, was strongly influenced by the Indonesia that rendered efforts for freedom.
“The politics behind the freedom for West Papua was never fair,” she said.
“In 1969, there was a referendum, but instead of overseeing a free and fair election, the UN stood by while Indonesia rigged the vote declaring that the Papuans were too ‘primitive’ to cope with democracy.”
Jesharellah Ginyaru, who spoke on human rights abuses, said despite strict laws being in place, prohibiting inhumane acts, atrocities continued on for the people of West Papua.
“Indonesian security forces have committed gross human rights abuses against the indigenous Papuans, with over 500,000 civilians killed to date. This is too much pain and suffering, especially for the innocent children,” she said.
“It’s a shame that even today Indonesia restricts West Papuans in their birth land to fly their own flag, and I pray that one day justice is given to them.”
Marcellin Patron questioned why many governments around the world still turn a blind eye to the issue of West Papuans.
“Any action or activity carried out by West Papuans is always suppressed by the Indonesian government.
“Yet many countries will not intervene,” he said.
Calling on the Papua New Guinean Government to take a proactive action, Elizabeth Gaveva urged all governmental departments, non-governmental and church organisations to work hand in hand in being vocal and actionable on that sensitive matter.
Gavriel Chalau ended the discussion with a strong rhetorical statement to question the moral stance of listeners, government heads and policy makers.
“We now talking about this topic on the radio won’t change the world, it might not even get a second glance.
“But if a bunch of mere grade 9 secondary school students can see this and think that we should be doing more, then what is stopping our leaders from doing the same?” he said.
Garce Narokobi, a fan of Chatroom posted on the show’s Facebook page, praised the students for their bravery to speak on behalf of the West Papuan people.
Chatroom’s next session on Nov 13 will have JCSS grade 11 students discussing “Youth Participation in Decision Making”.