Theo Hesegem Asks For Gun Contact In Papua, Don't Let Civilians Fall

Papuan human rights activist Theo Hasegem. (photo: doc. between)

JAKARTA - It is hoped that the conflict between the TNI/Polri and opposing groups will not sacrifice civilians as experienced by health workers in the Bintang Mountains. The statement came from Papuan human rights activist, Theo Hesegem.

Theo Hesegem in Wamena, Saturday, September 18, said that the treatment experienced by health workers should not have happened.

"Health workers are humanitarian workers, so they don't have to be treated inhumanely. We don't understand why recently civilians have been victims of both Papuans and non-Papuans," he said.

Civilians such as medics and teachers do not have to be disturbed by either side if they want to firefight.

"If medical workers are treated like that, health services will be disrupted because officers will not be calm in serving sick people in the area," he said.

Theo also suggested that the TNI/Polri and opposing groups exchange fire in places where there are no civilians.

"I sometimes say that if they want war, go ahead because they both rely on weapons. But they choose a place where there are no civilians," he said.

Apart from expressing his condolences for the death of health workers, Theo also hoped that the government would form a team to investigate the incident.

"Because now there are allegations, there are groups who say this is OPM treatment, while the opposing group says that the shooting occurred because one of the doctors took out a gun. But I don't believe the statements of these two parties," he said.