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Priest won't remain silent on injustices in Papua

Father John Djonga faces possible treason charges for conducting prayer service
Priest won't remain silent on injustices in Papua

Father John Djonga, left, speaks at a forum consisting of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation commissions from different religious congregations in Jakarta, March 12. Accompanying him is Divine Word Father Paulus Rahmat. (Photo by Ryan Dagur)

Published: March 14, 2016 10:54 AM GMT
Updated: March 15, 2016 02:02 AM GMT

Father John Djonga from the Jayapura Diocese in Indonesia's restive Papua province received a summons last month from the police wanting to see him.

Just four days earlier, the activist priest had conducted a prayer service in which members of a separatist group allegedly participated.

The prayer service was for the inauguration of the Papuan Indigenous Council Center in Wamena, which is also an office for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua.

After consulting with Franciscan Bishop Leo Laba Ladjar of Jayapura, Father Djonga appeared at a police station in the company of his lawyer on Feb. 26.

The priest was asked over 50 questions by two police officers during a four-hour meeting. The police questioned him on the prayer service and he was asked what he knew about the United Liberation Movement for West Papua. 

"For me, this was done as a way to frighten religious leaders. Are prayers also banned for certain groups?" asked Father Djonga during a forum on human rights in Papua province held in Jakarta, March 12.

He now faces possible treason charges.

"When I came to the prayer service, my only interest was to lead a prayer service for faithful. I also wanted to understand problems faced by the faithful," said Father Djonga who is a renowned human rights defender.

"With this incident, it can be clearly seen that the local police can easily charge someone with treason without having a clear criterion. Pastoral services can't be separated from any conditions. Pastoral services must touch everyone," he said.

"I don't feel that I violated the law. I don't have fear, I don't feel threatened though," the priest said.

"I can't stay silent while the economic, social and cultural conditions are weakening."

What Father Djonga faces isn't a new thing, said Budi Hernawan, a researcher from the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy.

"Many other [rights activists] in the region have similar experiences," said Hernawan.

Rights defenders in the region "have to work in an all-pervasive atmosphere of fear and are subject to repressive actions, intimidation or even physical attacks," according to a 129-page report by the International Coalition for Papua, launched last month.

Divine Word Father Paulus Rahmat said that the church has always supported rights activists in the region.

"Any kinds of intimidation against rights defenders won't stop the church speaking out against the suffering of the Papuan people," Father Rahmat said.

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