Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Amnesty urges Indonesia to stop violent Papau crackdown

Posted at 21:08 on 26 October, 2012 UTC

Amnesty International says the indiscriminate use of firearms and excessive force against protesters in Indonesia’s Papua region has to stop.

A pro-independence protest this week was met with a violent response by the Indonesian security forces as four demonstrators were shot by the police.

Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Deputy Director, Isabelle Arradon, says it is unacceptable that people who have gathered for a protest should have to fear for their lives.

She says it is a violation of international law.

Ms Arradon says the incident warrants an immediate investigation and a thorough review of police tactics during policing of demonstrations.