Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo has pledged to hold an inquiry into the deaths of five Papuan civilians at the hands of the country’s military.
Widodo, who was in the province to attend Christmas festivities, said the incident in Paniai earlier this month was deplorable.
“I want this case to be solved immediately so it won’t ever happen again in the future,” the president said.
"By forming a fact-finding team, we hope to obtain valid information [about what actually happened], as well as find the root of the problems.”
“I want my visit to Papua to be useful, I want to listen to the people’s voices, and I’m willing to open dialogue for a better Papua,” he said.
Joko said the government needed to listen to Papuans in order to solve the long-running conflict in the restive region.
“I think that the people of Papua don’t only need health care, education, the construction of roads and bridges, but they also need to be listened to. That is what I will do in dealing with the problems in Papua,” he said.
His visit amidst tight security was met by protestors, including prominent church leaders, who demanded he call off his visit.
Human Rights Watch last week called on the president to establish a fact-finding team, saying the “climate of fear in Papua inhibits local people from publicly discussing security force abuses”.
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