From: Ministry of foreign Affairs
Asia and Oceania Department
Postbus 20061
2500 EB_ The Hague
To: Stichting Pro Papua
Rembrandthage 326
3437 PA_Nieuwegein
Date:_5 November 2015
our ref.:_MINBUZA-2015.625504
ENNV-2015.9639
Re: Your letter concerning recent incidents in West Papua
Dear Mr De Jager
Thank you for your letter of 10 October 2015 to Minister of Foreign Affairs Bert Koenders, in which you raise your concern on a number of incidents in the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua.
As mentioned in our letter of 1 October 2014, the situation in the Indonesian provinces Papua and West Papua, including the human rights situation, is frequently addressed in our regular meetings, such as the Senior Official Meeting in March 2015, and dialogues with the Indonesian government as well as the annual human rights dialogue between the European Union and Indonesia.
The Netherlands continuously monitors the situation in the two provinces in various ways. For example, during a recent visit by Embassy staff to Jayapura and Manokwari, meetings took place with both government officials as well as with representatives of non-governmental organisations. During this visit several issues were raise3d, such as the importance of respect for freedom of expression, the importance of pursuing justice by effectively addressing human rights violations and incidents that occurred such as in Paniai, the need to respect the position of local journalists as well as the access of international media to Papua. By addressing these issues as well as through the support to the community policing programme that aims to build trust and to strengthen the relations between police and different parts of society, the Netherlands aims to contribute to the respect for human rights, promote the rule of law and further the development in Papua and West Papua.
Yours sincerely,
Arjen van den Berg
deputy Director Asia and Oceania
Ministry of Foreign Affairs