Indonesia must investigate riot deaths: Human Rights Watch
People flee as a local market in Fakfak burnt on Wednesday. CREDIT: AP. Sketched by the Pan Pacific Agency.
WAMENA, Oct 8, 2019, RNZ. Human Rights Watch is calling on Indonesia to investigate riots in West Papua, which killed dozens last month. The clashes in Wamena on 23 September killed 33 people, injured at least 77, and displaced thousands more, reported the Radio New Zealand.
The NGO said the violence was sparked by growing tensions between Papuans and non-Papuans, with settlers from other parts of Indonesia making up a majority of those who were killed.
The group’s Asia director Brad Adams said there needed to be independent investigation into the conduct of security forces.
“The situation in Wamena is tense, yet it’s difficult to verify the circumstances because no journalists can independently go into the area to interview witnesses,” Mr Adams said in a statement.
“Having independent monitors on the ground will help deter abuses by both the militants and security forces, which would benefit all Indonesians.”
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