Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Legal Aid Institute (LBH Papua) has asserted that the government bears the responsibility for safeguarding the human rights of the numerous displaced people and children in Yahukimo Regency, Mountainous Papua Province.
Emanuel Gobay, the director of LBH Papua, stated that, according to the report provided by displaced people coordinator Wahyu Heluka in Dekai, there are 674 residents from Muara Bontoh who sought refuge in the urban area of Dekai following a clash on August 21, 2023. They are currently located across four different sites within Dekai and have received assistance from the Yahukimo Regency Administration. However, they have yet to receive any medical attention.
“There are 12 displaced people who are unwell, yet no medical personnel have arrived to offer healthcare services at the camp. We expect the Yahukimo Regency Administration to promptly provide healthcare support to those residing in the refugee camps in Dekai.” Gobay conveyed this message through a written statement received by Jubi on Saturday, September 16, 2023.
Gobay further highlighted the news that a one-year-old toddler named Yulian Matuan passed away on September 13, 2023.
“The tragic death of one of the toddlers in the refugee camp raises questions regarding the government’s commitment to implementing special protection measures for children in conflict situations,” he added.
While Gobay acknowledged that the Yahukimo Regency Administration had indeed provided assistance in the form of ten tons of rice, food items, and some cash to the displaced people, he pointed out that this support still falls short of meeting the fundamental needs of refugees, including the right to healthcare, adequate nutrition, and shelter.
LBH Papua has called upon the Indonesian President, the National Police, the National Human Rights Commission, the Indonesian Child Protection Commission, and the Regent of Yahukimo to promptly uphold the human rights of the community affected by the armed conflict. Suggested actions include providing healthcare assistance to those in the refugee camps and closely monitoring the implementation of these measures.
Furthermore, Gobay emphasized the importance of taking action in accordance with the legal provisions set forth in Article 13 of Government Regulation No. 7/2019, which outlines the regulations for implementing Law No. 1/2018 on the Red Cross.
