U.S. Ambassador Discusses Human Rights with Church Leaders in Papua

Jayapura (Antara Bali) - U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Roberth O Blake held a meeting with Papuan church leaders here on Saturday.

No reporters were allowed to cover the meeting such as one the ambassador had earlier with leaders of local non governmental organizations.

The meeting that began with breakfast at the Swiss-BelHotel was attended by chairman of PGGP Socrates Sofyan Yoman, chairman of KINGMI Papua priest Benny Giay, deputy chairman of Sinode GKI Priest Yemima Krey and other church leaders from Papua Barat.

Priest Socrates Sofyan Yoman said after the meeting discussions with the ambassador ranged from the present condition in Papua and human rights issue.

"We discussed a a number of things with the ambassador such as human right issue in Papua," he said.

Blake and his group had been here on a working visit since Tuesday this week, meeting regional authorities and non governmental organizations.

On Tuesday Blake met with leaders of Justice , Peace and Totality of Creation (SKPKC) Yuliano Languwuyo at a restaurant in Sentani with discussion focused on human rights issue.

Languwuyo said Blake told him that he wanted to see political situation and human right practices in Papua.

He said he told the ambassador there was no progress in including in the protection of human rights in Papua.

Militarism and violence continued even under a civilian leader, he said referring to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

He said he told Ambassador Blake that the military is concerned more with the security of large companies like Freeport Indonesia and BP at Teluk Bintuni, Papua Barat.

PT Freeport Indonesia is a subsidiary of the U.S. mining giant Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold having larger copper and gold mines in Papua, and the British-based BP is operating a large gas reserves at Teluk Bintuni and a liquefied natural gas plant in Tangguh in that area. (WDY)