Head Of MRP Angry, House Burning Action In Ilaga District Is A Human Rights Violation

Chairman of the Papuan People's Assembly, Timothy Murib/ Photo: Doc. Police

JAKARTA - Separatist groups have again carried out barbaric acts of terror by burning dozens of houses belonging to residents in Ilaga District, Puncak Regency, Papua on Wednesday, April 6. It is suspected that the burning of the house was a form of retaliation for the death of Ali Kogoya on Monday, April 4.

This terror act was also carried out by the separatist group by firing a number of shots at the village which made a number of residents feel afraid. It is known, after the terrorist act, residents fled to safe places such as security posts.

Timotius Murib as Chairman of the Papuan People's Assembly, in responding to the terror, admitted that he was quite annoyed with the actions of the separatist group because the victims were civilians who did not know the root of the conflict in the field. He also said that the conflict in Papua must be resolved immediately so that the impact does not spread further.

"I condemn the actions taken by separatist groups targeting residents' villages, it is not appropriate for residents who are not involved in the conflict to bear all the consequences, moreover they have to give up their houses that must be burned," said Timotius Murib, in a written statement, Friday, April 7.

Murib reminded that the actions taken by the separatist group had violated human rights, even though he had attempted to mediate with the United Nations as a third party to resolve the conflict in Papua.

"It is very unfortunate that this happened, even though I was just trying to mediate with the United Nations as a neutral third party to resolve the conflict, but instead separatist groups who incidentally are Papuans actually carry out terrorist acts that have the potential to violate human rights," he added.

As the Chair of the MRP, he who was asked to understand the living conditions of the people in Papua, admitted that he would continue to defend every basic right of the Papuan people. However, he firmly refused if what he was defending was a form of separatism.

"I have the authority, I am ready to bring the aspirations of every head (Papuans) to be conveyed for the sake of their rights, but regarding terror and separatist acts, I certainly refuse.