Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (Kombas HAM), Ahmad Taufan Damanik admitted that his party had initiated a peaceful dialogue between the government Joko Widodo and indigenous Papuans (OAP), including the Free Papua Organization (OPM).
Taufan claimed that President Jokowi, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD to the TNI-Polri had agreed to carry out the peaceful dialogue.
“It was approved by the president. We have met several times and he agreed,” said Taufan when met at the Shangri-la Hotel, Jakarta, Wednesday (9/3).
“Mr. Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, as well as the TNI commanders – past and present – also appreciate it. The National Police Chief has appreciated it from the start,” he added.
Taufan admitted that his party will go to Papua to take care of the initiation of the peace dialogue. Even so, Taufan said the initiation of a peaceful dialogue between Jakarta and Papua would take a long process because it really depends on the political situation, conflict, and security.
“We will do it and next week we will leave, the initiation, it’s a long process. Aceh also used to be a long process, you need to meet everywhere,” he said.
Taufan explained that Komnas HAM would be the party to open communication with figures in Papua, including the chairman of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, Benny Wenda.
Taufan claims that pro-independence groups will be a priority group for peaceful dialogue. In addition, his party will also invite the dialogue of traditional leaders and the church. He said if all the figures were willing, a peaceful dialogue could take place.
“Even though this is a state institution, the term is Indonesia, they are still very respectful. Our team there often meets and contacts each other. And they are willing, if facilitated by Komnas HAM, they say they are willing,” he said.
“The main thing is they (the pro-independence camp). But there are also others, for example traditional leaders who don’t talk about being independent or not independent but talking about protecting their customary rights, other church leaders for example, but the OPM figures are the most important. ” he added.
(yla/DAL)
–
