Separatists Free West Papua suspected of killing 31 workers in Indonesia’s Papua province

ERWIDA MAULIA, Nikkei staff writerDECEMBER 04, 2018 14:03 JST  UPDATED ON DECEMBER 04, 2018 18:50 JST

Renewed violence highlights risks in Widodo’s push to develop remote region

Victims of Free West Papua Campaign Armed Group

JAKARTA — Attackers killed 31 construction workers in Indonesia’s Papua province over the weekend, highlighting the security challenges President Joko Widodo faces in developing the restive, remote region.

The workers were attacked by a group of armed men suspected of belonging to the separatist Free Papua Movement, local media reported. One of the construction workers had taken a photo of the group holding a ceremony, the reports said. The killing mark a violent turn for the group, which has been largely subdued in recent years, especially since Widodo took office in 2014.

Oxford City Council: Stop Provoking Conflict by Flying West Papua Separatist Flag – Papuan Lives Are at Risk

The Papuan people are growing more nervous every day as tensions between Free West Papua Separatist Group and Papuan Local Security Apparatus continue to mount. Rather than turning to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) policy for guidance on how to help Papuan, Oxford City Council have decided to provoke conflict in Papua and West Papua provinces of Indonesia: flying separatist flag at Oxford Council extension Town Hall building. Link: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/info/20002/your_council/1241/flag_flying_and_bell_ringing_at_council_buildings

Guess what? It’s not only instigated conflict but also created a misperception of UK Foreign Policy.

For Oxford City Council, flying West Papua separatist flag is not a big deal because they simply only support or sympathise to Oxford based Free West Papua Campaign. However, that is engaging in reckless policy that puts Papuan lives at risk. On top of that, Oxford City Council has continually shown ignorance in all sorts of matters concerning the situation in West Papua, especially regarding false news from Free West Papua Campaign.

It’s time for Oxford City Council to stop provoking conflict in West Papua and let the diplomats from the FCO do the peaceful engagement by supporting peace development in West Papua.

Nobody expects all members of Oxford City Council to know everything. However, we do expect representatives of Oxford people to be aware of the safety of the people who live far away from Oxford, which is something better than deepening conflict by flying separatist West Papua flag.

Please sign this petition asking Oxford City Council to stop instigating conflict by flying West Papua separatist flag!