Jayapura, Jubi – Chairman of the Special Group of the Papua Legislative Council (DPRP) John NR Gobai said the central government should not be afraid or hesitant to establish a Human Rights Court in Papua. Indeed, such a court is urgently needed because there are many unsolved cases of human rights violations in Papua.
“The central government has already established a Corruption Court in Papua, as well as an Industrial Court. Why can’t they establish a Human Rights Court in Papua?” Gobai told Jubi in a phone call on Monday, August 28, 2022.
Gobai said that if cases of human rights violations in Papua were tried in Makassar, it would not be impactful on indigenous Papuans, especially the families of victims. The distance between Papua and Makassar in South Sulawesi also makes it difficult for witnesses and families of victims to attend while obtaining legal protection.
“The Papuan people victims of human rights violations are still waiting for legal certainty in resolving various cases. It would be nice if a Human Rights Court is established in Papua, and the trial of the Bloody Paniai case is held here, too,” he said.
According to Gobai, the government should not be afraid to establish a Human Rights Court in Papua because the law stipulates it already, namely Article 45 of Law No. 21/2001 on Papua Special Autonomy.
Gobai said the central government must coordinate with the Jayapura District Court.
“We ask the President and the Supreme Court to create a Human Rights Court in Papua for the trial of the Bloody Paniai case. So that the Bloody Paniai trial can be witnessed by the public, and the public can see the government’s seriousness in resolving human rights violations and enforcing law and human rights in Paniai,” he said. (*)
