Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Postbus 20061
2500 EB the Hague
The Netherlands
To: Foundation Pro Papua
3437 PA Nieuwegein
The Netherlands
Contact Asia and Oceania Department
our ref. MINBUZA-2014.597325
- 3 October 2014
Re Your open letter to Minister Timmermans of 12 August 2014
Thank you for your open letter of 12 August 2014 to Minister of Foreign Affairs
Frans Timmermans, in which you address recent events in the Indonesian
provinces of Papua and West Papua.
The situation in the Indonesian provinces Papua and West Papua, including the
human rights situation, is part of the regular meetings between the Netherlands
and Indonesia, at different levels. The situation in Papua is also discussed in the
annual human rights dialogue between the European Union and Indonesia.
The Netherlands and the EU encourage the authorities to continue the efforts to
accelerate socio-economic development, respect fundamental rights such as the
freedom of expression and allow international media and civil society
organisations to work in both provinces. The two arrested French journalists that
you refer to in your letter allegedly did not travel to Papua in conformity with
national regulations. The Provincial authorities stresses that the journalists have
travelled to Papua on a tourist visa instead of a press visa. The case is and will be
closely followed by the French Embassy and the Delegation of the European Union
in Jakarta.
The Netherlands monitors the situation in the two provinces, among others by
visits to the region of staff members of the Netherlands Embassy, where they
meet with a broad range of contacts, such as representatives from Government,
from non-governmental organisations and from international organisations.
The Netherlands further supports the socio-economic development of the two
provinces. One important way of doing so is through a community policing
program that aims to strengthen the relations between police and local
communities through dialogue. The program supports community policing by
providing human rights training to the community policing officers and by
facilitating the establishment of community policing forums in which police,
community representatives and other rule of law actors meet to discuss local
issues in order to prevent tensions and crime.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Potman
Director Asia and Oceania
Ministry of Foreign Affairs