Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

New Zealand NGO calls for dialogue to ease Papuan tensions after Kelly Kwalik killing

Posted at 02:04 on 24 December, 2009 UTC

The New Zealand based Indonesia Human Rights Committee says it’s deeply concerned about the possibility of escalating conflict in the Papua region of Indonesia in the wake of the death of the Free West Papua Movement leader, Kelly Kwalik.

Mr Kwalik was killed by Indonesian security forces last week in Timika.

The Indonesia Human Rights Committee is calling for an internationally mediated dialogue between Papuan representatives and the Indonesian Government.

It also says the New Zealand Government should publicly back negotiation and dialogue as the path to peace in the region.