Pope Francis and Indonesian Hypocrisy in Papua – Academia

As the spiritual leader of Catholics worldwide, Pope Francis’ visit to Indonesia was a moment many had been eagerly awaiting. His visit underscored the importance of interfaith dialogue, universal fraternity and the promotion of justice.

However, behind the warm welcome of the Pope by the government and society at large, there is a contrasting reality: human rights abuses in Papua have not yet been adequately addressed.

Since Papua’s integration into Indonesian territory through the Act of Free Choice (Pepera) in 1969, the region has been a source of protracted conflict. Many parties, including international organizations, have criticized the Pepera process, which is considered unfair and manipulative. As a result, the Papuan people’s dissatisfaction with the central government has continued to grow, expressed in various forms, such as protests, demands for independence, and rebellion, which often end in military repression.

Papua has been a silent witness to various human rights violations for decades, from extrajudicial killings, torture and enforced disappearances to restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly. Reports from human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly noted the violence committed by security forces against the Papuan people.

At the same time, non-inclusive economic policies and the marginalisation of the indigenous Papuan population have complicated the situation, deepening social, cultural and economic inequalities.

Human rights abuses in Papua are also linked to the indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources, especially in the mining and forestry sectors. International companies often operate without considering the social and environmental impacts on local communities. Indigenous Papuans, who have strong cultural and spiritual ties to their land, have lost access to both their land and natural resources.

This economic marginalization is exacerbated by the development gap between Papua and other regions of Indonesia, resulting in significant differences in access to health services, education, and basic infrastructure. Papuans also face negative stereotypes and discrimination in various aspects of life, including employment and education.

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