Almost exactly a year ago, bush pilot Phillip Mehrtens was kidnapped in West New Guinea by rebel separatists fighting for their island’s independence.
Now the fighters of the West Papua National Liberation Army have shared a new sign of life from their New Zealand hostage: an emotional video message to his wife. Mehrtens says he is doing well. More about this in the video:
On February 7 – exactly one year to the day after the kidnapping – the separatists also announced that they would release Mehrtens – “to preserve humanity and respect human rights,” the British news platform Guardian quotes. It is unknown if and when this release will take place. According to their own statements, the demands of the “West Papua National Liberation Army” were not met. The governments of Indonesia and New Zealand did not adhere to the conditions for Mehrten’s release. The separatists had demanded that peace talks be started with Indonesia.
Phillip Mehrtens is a bush pilot from New Zealand and was kidnapped on February 7, 2023. He would pick up fifteen construction workers in a remote area in western New Guinea. Immediately after landing at Paro airport in the remote Nduga district – in the middle of rebel territory – his plane was stormed by the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement separatists. They set the plane on fire and released the five passengers on the plane because they were indigenous people.
The purpose of the kidnapping: To draw new attention to the already protracted and deadly conflict that has raged in West New Guinea, the western half of the island of Papua New Guinea, since Indonesia seized control of the former Dutch colony in 1969 took over.
The “Free West Papua Movement,” whose armed wing is the “West Papua National Liberation Army” and which regularly clashes with Indonesian security forces, continues to demand a fair vote on self-determination.
Peaceful acts of civil disobedience by indigenous peoples, such as flying the banned Morning Star flag, are met with police and military violence and long prison sentences.
In 2022, UN human rights experts called for urgent and unrestricted humanitarian access to the region, amid serious concerns about “shocking abuses against indigenous Papuans, including the killing of children, enforced disappearances, torture and mass displacement of people.”
On the same day the military announced Mehrtens’ release, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters released a statement. He called for Mehrtens’ immediate release, adding that the government was working with Indonesian authorities to secure his release. ‘Let me be very clear. There can never be a justification for taking hostages,” Peters said. (lso)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
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