Rebels in Indonesia’s West Papua area have proposed phrases for the discharge of the New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens a 12 months and 7 months after he was detained.
It comes hours after the West Papua Nationwide Liberation Military (TPNPB) launched an announcement saying the Indonesian military bombed its headquarters in Alguru, which is the place Mehrtens is being saved. The assertion additionally stated Mehrtens “survived the attack”.
Mehrtens, a former Jetstar pilot, was taken hostage by the TPNPB in February 2023 as a bargaining chip for its push for independence from Indonesia. It got here after he landed a small industrial passenger airplane at Paro airport in Nduga, the centre of the rising Papuan insurgency.
In February, a 12 months to the day since Mehrtens was taken hostage, the military introduced Mehrtens can be freed “to protect humanity and ensure human rights”, nevertheless it had not confirmed when he can be launched.
On Tuesday, the military launched an announcement outlining the phrases of his launch, detailing numerous situations “to be followed” by the Indonesian authorities, together with permitting “open access” for media to be concerned within the launch course of.
It additionally known as for the Indonesian authorities to droop army operations throughout Mehrten’s launch, and for the New Zealand authorities to “provide space” for Mehrtens to convey “what he felt” throughout his 12 months and 7 months with the TPNPB.
“This is a humanitarian mission that must be supported by all parties,” the military stated.
The phrases have been deliberate for launch on Monday, in response to a spokesperson, however have been delayed to Tuesday because of the Indonesian army operation.
The phrases proposed that Mehrtens ought to be escorted from Ndugama by New Zealand police and armed forces to Sentani airport in Jayapura, on a airplane organized by the New Zealand authorities or an Air Niugini plane chartered by the military.
It additionally stated numerous others ought to be current, together with one UN consultant, two senior and worldwide journalists as “witnesses”, and two human rights figures from Indonesia.
The military proposed he would then catch one other airplane which might move by means of Papua New Guinea. A press convention can be held at Jacksons worldwide airport in Port Moresby.
The assertion stated the method ought to be facilitated by members of the New Zealand authorities and the Indonesian authorities, and our bodies together with the Human Rights Monitor and PNG Council of Church buildings.
Andreas Harsono, who covers Indonesia for Human Rights Watch, stated the proposal was “realistic”, regardless of Indonesia’s ongoing restriction of reporters and human rights displays into the area.
“The top priority should be to release this man who has a wife and kids,” Harsono stated.
Mehrtens’ kidnapping has renewed consideration on the long-running and lethal battle that has raged in West Papua, which makes up the western half of Papua New Guinea, since Indonesia took management of the previous Dutch colony in 1969.
West Papua Nationwide Liberation Military is the armed wing of the Free West Papua Motion, which has continued to demand a good vote on self-determination.
Peaceable acts of civil disobedience by Indigenous West Papuans, similar to elevating the banned “Morning Star” flag, are met with police and army brutality and lengthy jail sentences.
In 2022, UN human rights consultants known as for pressing and unrestricted humanitarian entry to the area due to critical issues about “shocking abuses against Indigenous Papuans, including child killings, disappearances, torture and mass displacement of people”.
In December final 12 months, the military filmed a video of Mehrtens, wherein he tells his household he loves them and is being handled nicely by his captors.
“I’m OK, they are treating me well, I’m trying to stay positive,” Mehrtens stated within the video message directed to his household.
“I love you both lots and miss you both lots and hope to be able to talk with you soon.”
A spokesperson for the New Zealand ministry of overseas affairs stated it was conscious of the doc.
“Our focus remains on securing a peaceful resolution and Phillip’s safe release. We continue to work closely with all parties to achieve this and will not be discussing the details publicly.”
