New Zealand pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens has been in captivity for more than four months. The news is blowing that the West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB) will appoint a negotiator to resolve this hostage crisis.

Confidence regarding the appointment of a negotiator by TPNPB was conveyed by the Chairperson of the Indonesia National Commission on Human Rights, said Frits Ramandey, Monday (19/6).

“I have confidence that the TPNPB group Egianus, through spokesman Sebby Sambom, will appoint people to be negotiators. I have that belief, yes, and it is possible that in some time there will be someone they call,” said Frits.

As reported, Philip Mark Mehrtens, who is a pilot for a Susi Air plane with registration number PK-BVY, was taken hostage by the TPNPB group under the leadership of Egianus Kogoya. Philip’s plane was set on fire after it landed at Paro Airfield, Nduga Regency, Central Papua Province, Indonesia, on February 7, 2023.

So far, it is not clear which party will be asked to become a negotiator. However, Frits believes that party will be accepted, both by TPNPB and Jakarta.

Day after day, efforts to free Philip had to be intensified. Admit it or not, this hostage crisis has created a humanitarian crisis, especially in the Nduga Regency area. The escalation of the conflict caused thousands of residents to flee.

Frits said the central government must take a stand by at least preparing a representative team. In addition, Frits suggested the involvement of the New Zealand Government as Philip was after all its citizen. Because of Philip’s position, Wellington’s involvement was not a form of intervention.

“If we read Egianus’ last statement, right? He has given a statement that gives a two-month option. This statement should actually be seen as progress in the negotiation processes that we have been carrying out so far,” he added.

Frits also added, “The important question now is how do we respond. They have given options regarding negotiations. Therefore this progress must be responded quickly.”

In detail, according to Frits, the government must involve all parties who are currently playing a role in this hostage crisis. After that, a joint step was officially communicated with the TPNPB through a trusted courier.

One thing is certain, said Frits, exchanging one hostage for demands for an independent Papua is something that is not logical.

Frits assured that even though everything seems to be running slowly, all parties have worked hard for more than four months. According to him, all components, including the regional government, the National Commission on Human Rights Papua team, non-governmental organizations and the church, played an active role in efforts to free Philip.

The Role of Crucial Negotiators

Papuan human rights activist Yones Dou also emphasizes negotiations as the best solution.

“People who don’t know anything about politics are taken hostage. It doesn’t make any sense at all. We respect humans, even if it’s just one person. We honor his soul and his family. There needs to be negotiation,” he said.

Yones added, “This pilot has never committed a crime and he doesn’t know anything about the issues being prosecuted by the TPNPB. But because they are foreigners, they do it.”

The main issue, Yones continued, was who the TPNPB could trust as a negotiator.

He also warned that choosing the military route to resolve the hostage crisis was a wrong choice. In the case of the Mapenduma hostage being carried out by the military wing of the Free Papua Organization (OPM), Kelly Kwalik, in 1996, their weapons were limited to arrows. This time, TPNPM has modern weapons, both obtained through purchases on the black market and seizing weapons belonging to army forces.

Therefore, negotiation is the only way. Moreover, the TPNPB itself has openly asked for dialogue regarding these hostages. Jakarta must form a negotiator, as well as the TPNPB appoint a party they trust. The three important elements of this effort are dialogue, withdrawal of security forces from conflict areas, and release of hostages.

Source: VOA