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WORLD NEWS Tuesday 24 sepTember 2019

20 killed, 70 hurt in protests in Indonesia’s Papua province

By NINIEK KARMINI test brawled with another
Associated Press group of students.
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) Video circulated on the
— At least 20 people were internet showed dozens of
killed Monday, including people, many armed with
three shot by police, in vio- machetes, standing in front
lent protests by hundreds of of their shops and homes to
people sparked by rumors protect them from the an-
that a teacher insulted an gry mob.
indigenous student in Indo- Joko Harjani, an airport offi-
nesia’s restive Papua prov- cial, said the protest forced
ince, officials said. authorities to close the
An angry mob torched lo- city’s airport until the situa-
cal government buildings, tion returns to normal.
shops and homes and set The protest came days af-
fire to cars and motorbikes ter Indonesian authorities
on several roads leading to managed to get the prov-
the district chief’s office in ince under control after
Wamena city, said Papua weeks of violent demon-
police chief Rudolf Alberth strations by thousands of
Rodja. people in Papua and West
Papua military spokes- Papua provinces against
man Eko Daryanto said at alleged racism toward
least 16 civilians, includ- Papuans. At least one In-
ing 13 from other Indone- donesian soldier and four
sian provinces, were killed People gather as shops burn in the background during a protest in Wamena in Papua province, civilians were killed in that
in Wamena, mostly after Indonesia, Monday, Sept 23, 2019. violence.
being trapped in burning Associated Press The previous protests were
houses or shops. Television video showed He said a police investiga- Rodja told reporters in Jay- triggered by videos circu-
He said at least one soldier orange flames and black tion did not find any evi- apura, the capital of Pap- lated on the internet show-
and three civilians died in smoke billowing from burn- dence of racism against ua province. “This is a hoax ing security forces calling
another protest in Jayapu- ing buildings in Wamena. the student, and that false and I call on people in Pap- Papuan university students
ra, the capital of Papua Rodja said the protest was rumors have been spread- ua not to be provoked by “monkeys” and “dogs” in
province. triggered by rumors that a ing among students in oth- untrue news.” East Java’s Surabaya city
About 65 civilians were in- high school teacher in Wa- er schools and native com- Papua police spokesman when they stormed a dor-
jured in Wamena and five mena who is not from Pap- munities. Ahmad Musthofa Kamal mitory where Papuan stu-
police officers were criti- ua called an indigenous “We believe this false in- said students from another dents were staying after a
cally injured in Jayapura, Papuan student a “mon- formation was intentionally school in Wamena who torn Indonesian flag was
he said. key” last week. designed to create riots,” refused to join the pro- found in a sewer.q
Duterte suspends any loan talks with backers of rights probe

By JIM GOMEZ on any loans and grants Duterte’s anti-drug crack-
Associated Press that might be offered by down, which has left thou-
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — the 18 countries. sands of mostly poor drug
Philippine President Rodri- Panelo initially denied last suspects dead. Duterte
go Duterte has suspended week that Duterte had is- reacted angrily to the 18
any negotiations over loans sued the order but then countries, particularly Ice-
or grants from 18 countries said the president later re- land. Panelo downplayed
that backed a U.N. human membered he had done the effect of Duterte’s
rights resolution calling for so when he was shown a move, saying it would not
an inquiry into human rights copy of the Aug. 27 memo have a significant effect
conditions in the Philip- signed by his executive on the government’s infra-
pines, an official said Mon- secretary. structure program.
day. The 18 countries supported Existing foreign grants of
Presidential spokesman Sal- an Iceland-initiated resolu- about $377 million, some
vador Panelo said Duterte tion in July that asked the from countries which sup-
asked his executive secre- U.N. High Commissioner for ported the proposed U.N. In this Aug. 27, 2019, file photo, Philippine President Rodrigo
tary last month to issue a Human Rights to look into human rights investigation Duterte gestures as he addresses the topic of land reform in
confidential memo order- human rights conditions like Australia, will not be af- Manila, Philippines.
ing the suspension of talks in the Philippines under fected, Panelo said.q Associated Press