A Papuan-Jakartan Dialogue to be held this year

Jayapura (15/1) – After visiting Papua in September 2012, Albert Hasibuan, a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on Legal Rights and Human Affairs (Watimpres) claimed to have passed on his recommendations to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY).

“I’ve given my recommendations. The Papua problem will be best resolved through discussion together. The President said he’ll welcome this,” said Albert when approached after Christmas Eve celebrations with the National Mandate Party (Partai Amanat Nasional) in Jayapura, Papua, on Sunday night (13/1).

According to Albert, the event was also attended by a number of notable Papuans including Pater Neles Tebay and Beny Giay, as well as Papuans of various religions. “They were urging for dialogue and hopefully this dialogue can happen in 2013. I’m not sure in which month,” he said.

Albert says the party is working toward (addressing issues of dialogue) in this area. This is because everyone, including the President, hopes to establish peace in West Papua. “I think everyone, including the President, are willing to begin the dialogue, they’re just waiting for the right time,” he said.

Other recommendations to SBY, says the former member of the National Commission for Human Rights, include fully implementing Special Autonomy in Papua, both regionally and through the central government.

“Apart from this, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has to be visible in Papua and has to go to Papua because many Papuans are raising questions of Otsus’s accountability of funds. So it’s best if KPK has a presence here,” said Alfred.

Further, Albert is now a member of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM); he was chief investigator with the Investigative Commission into Human Rights Violations in (KPP HAM) in Timor Leste, 1999, in Abepura 2000, and in Trisakti, Semanggi 1 and Semanggi 2 in 2001 in the capacity of chairman; as well as sitting as a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on Legal Rights and Human Affairs (Wantimpres) in January 2012.

As part of his visit to Papua representing Wantimpres, Albert met with both the Papuan government and the local Jayawijaya government. Among them, were the Papuan People’s Council (MRP), the papuan police chief, Kodam XVII Cenderawasih, and leaders of NGOs and churches. This visit was a follow-up from a meeting with Papuan community members at the Wantimpres office on the 3^rd of July, 2012. (Jubi/Levi)

(Translated by West Papua Media volunteer translators)