Papua Land of Peace - faith based network on West Papua
Through the 'Papua, Land of Peace' initiative Papuan, religious leaders aim to promote in Papua a culture of peace instead of a culture of violence. The Faith-Based Network is founded by faith-based organisations to support these efforts to promote peace, justice and human rights in West Papua.
The religious leaders - Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Protestant and Catholic -want to provide a free and just living space for the Papuans. A "Land of Peace" is not merely a geographical area free of violence. It is a social condition, in which the socio-cultural, economic and political problems Papuans face today are resolved without the use of violence. "Peace" encompasses the following elements that should be part of daily reality for all people in Papua: feeling secure; being respected as a human being irrespective of differences; enough food and the fulfilment of other basic needs; a fair and just treatment; recognition as an individual; recognition as an ethnic group; the possibility to live independently and in control of one's own life; being heard and taken into account; and finally, living in harmony with nature.
ICG - The International Crisis Group, a leading conflict prevention group, urges the Indonesian government and separatists in the resource-rich province of Papua to enter negotiations to settle their differences.
2009 Human Rights Report: Indonesia (11 Mar 2010)
US Department of State - The idea of human rights begins with a fundamental commitment to the dignity that is the birthright of every man, woman and child. Progress in advancing human rights begins with the facts. And for the last 34 years, the United States has produced the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, providing the most comprehensive record available of the condition of human rights around the world.
Food estate feared to marginalize Papuans (9 Mar 2010)
The Jakarta Post - A planned large-scale food production system in Merauke, Papua province, aimed at improving national food sustainability, could prove detrimental for locals, an activist says.
