Indonesian activists fear Papua violence will escalate
Govt s designation of separatists as terrorists could light the touch paper that sets the restive region on fire, they say
Updated: April 30, 2021 08:41 AM GMT
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Papuan rebels are seen here in an undisclosed location. The Indonesian government has declared Papuan pro-independence groups to be terrorists. (Photo: Facebook of West Papua National Liberation Army)
Human rights activists and churchmen have voiced concerns over the impact of the Indonesian government s move to label Papuan pro-independence groups as terrorists, saying it will make peace even more difficult to achieve in the restive region.
Mohammad Mahfud MD, Indonesia’s coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs, officially designated the separatist West Papua National Liberation Army and the Free Papua Movement as terrorists.
Indonesia designates Papuan separatists terrorists Reuters 3 hrs ago
By Kate Lamb and Agustinus Beo Da Costa
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia has formally designated Papuan separatists as terrorists , its chief security minister said on Thursday, a move activists said could expand the powers of security forces, including lengthy detentions without charge.
The legal designation follows a call by President Joko Widodo for a crackdown on Papuan rebels after an intelligence officer was shot dead on Sunday in the country s easternmost region, where a low-level rebellion has been fought for decades. The government thinks that organisations and the people in Papua who commit massive violence can be classified as terrorists, chief security minister Mahfud MD told a news conference.
Indonesia designates Papuan separatists terrorists swissinfo.ch - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from swissinfo.ch Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Indonesia designates Papuan separatists terrorists reuters.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from reuters.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.