{"id":986982,"date":"2023-02-09T06:32:27","date_gmt":"2023-02-09T06:32:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asiapacificreport.nz\/?p=84297"},"modified":"2023-02-09T06:32:27","modified_gmt":"2023-02-09T06:32:27","slug":"human-rights-researcher-pleads-for-west-papuan-rebels-to-free-nz-pilot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2023\/02\/09\/human-rights-researcher-pleads-for-west-papuan-rebels-to-free-nz-pilot\/","title":{"rendered":"Human rights researcher pleads for West Papuan rebels to free NZ pilot"},"content":{"rendered":"
By Finau Fonua<\/a> and Lydia Lewis<\/a>, RNZ Pacific<\/a> journalists A researcher at Human Rights Watch in Jakarta is calling for the immediate release of the six hostages — including a New Zealand pilot — being held by a rebel group in Indonesia’s Papua region.<\/p>\n The rebels in Highlands Papua are threatening to execute Susi Air pilot Phillip Mehrtens if their demands are not met.<\/p>\n Five other people are also believed to have been taken hostage in the attack<\/a>.<\/p>\n The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has posted an ultimatum on social media demanding Jakarta negotiate with them over independence for the region.<\/p>\n “Pilot is still alive and he will be held hostage for negotiations with Jakarta, if Jakarta is obstinate, then the pilot will be executed,” the statement read.<\/p>\n “We will take the New Zealand citizen pilot as hostage and we are waiting for accountability from the Australian government, the New Zealand government, the European Union governments, and the United Nations, because for 60 years these countries have supported Indonesia to kill Indigenous Papuans.”<\/p>\n Researcher Andreas Harsono knows the main spokesperson of the rebel group, Sebby Sambom, after decades of research in the field.<\/p>\n Personal appeal<\/strong> “I call on this group to immediately release all of the hostages including the pilot — it is a crime to kidnap anyone including this pilot,” he told RNZ Pacific.<\/p>\n “I do not know how to measure the seriousness of such a threat but this is a hostage situation, things could be out of control. So the best way is to negotiate and ask them to release the pilot.”<\/p>\n
\n<\/em><\/p>\n\n
\nHe made a call to him personally to let the hostages go.<\/p>\n