Situation in Papua remains tense

The situation in Papua remains tense. After the riots in Wamena last week, during which there were numerous deaths even among non-Papuas, many migrants were flown out of Wamena.

In this situation of growing ethnic tension, the <link file:7880 download internal link in current>GKI-TP has written a pastoral letter to all its churches. The letter emphasizes that Christians, regardless of ethnic origin, are sisters and brothers. At the same time, the Pastoral Letter rejects racism against Papua and emphasizes that all people are created in God's image.

The letter calls on all church workers and parishioners not to spread news unchecked and not to sit on fake news. Christians are called to make peace. Finally, the letter calls for prayer for the healing of Papuans, for the government and security forces as well as for human rights activists, for all victims of the unrest as well as for those who work for peace.

Rev. Dr Claudia Währisch-Oblau (Head of the Evangelism Department) www.humanrightspapua.org