I've been rather depressed over the last few days. Life is going on all over the world and I'm not sure where I am within it, if I am. I think I wish not to be.
Indonesian security forces shot dead four teenagers walking to school in the troubled province of Papua, including a close relative of an activist who fled to Australia this week, an Indonesian human rights group says.
Indonesian authorities say just one person was shot dead and two others injured.
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Benny Giay, chairman of the human rights group ELSHAM, told The Sydney Morning Herald the students, aged between 13 and 15, were ambushed on their way to school on Friday in what appeared to be an unprovoked attack.
One of the teenagers, Moses Douw, 13, was said to be a close relative of one of the 43 refugees who landed at Cape York on Wednesday in an outrigger that featured a large sign claiming military oppression in Papua.
The attack took place at the village of Waghete, which is in a region many of the asylum seekers came from.
A fifth student was injured in the attack and a man was badly beaten, Mr Giay told the Herald.
Greens Senator Kerry Nettle called for an investigation into the shootings, which she said appeared to be a reprisal for the arrival of the asylum seekers in Australia.
"It is particularly disgusting that it appears the five people shot were school children," she told the Herald.
But Colonel Kertono Wangsadisastra said only one person was killed and another two were injured.
He said the shooting occurred during a clash between police and security forces and a group of more than 100 people outside a police station.
"The civilians got angry and started beating the police and soldiers. Then the shooting occurred," he said.
West Papua National Association spokesman Nick Chesterfield also called the shooting a reprisal attack.
"One of the young boys killed was a relative of someone with the same name, who is on Christmas Island at the moment," he said.
"They embarrassed the government, and they have finally brought international attention to the issue of West Papua."
The refugees have been sent to Christmas Island for processing by the Australian government.
Democrats Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Natasha Stott Despoja said she was disturbed by the reports.
"This latest violence highlights the ongoing human rights abuses in that region."
She said the Howard government must play a role in ensuring the safety of the asylum seekers and "those in West papua fearing for their lives".
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Indonesian security forces shot dead four teenagers walking to school in the troubled province of Papua, including a close relative of an activist who fled to Australia this week, an Indonesian human rights group says.
Indonesian authorities say just one person was shot dead and two others injured.
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Benny Giay, chairman of the human rights group ELSHAM, told The Sydney Morning Herald the students, aged between 13 and 15, were ambushed on their way to school on Friday in what appeared to be an unprovoked attack.
One of the teenagers, Moses Douw, 13, was said to be a close relative of one of the 43 refugees who landed at Cape York on Wednesday in an outrigger that featured a large sign claiming military oppression in Papua.
The attack took place at the village of Waghete, which is in a region many of the asylum seekers came from.
A fifth student was injured in the attack and a man was badly beaten, Mr Giay told the Herald.
Greens Senator Kerry Nettle called for an investigation into the shootings, which she said appeared to be a reprisal for the arrival of the asylum seekers in Australia.
"It is particularly disgusting that it appears the five people shot were school children," she told the Herald.
But Colonel Kertono Wangsadisastra said only one person was killed and another two were injured.
He said the shooting occurred during a clash between police and security forces and a group of more than 100 people outside a police station.
"The civilians got angry and started beating the police and soldiers. Then the shooting occurred," he said.
West Papua National Association spokesman Nick Chesterfield also called the shooting a reprisal attack.
"One of the young boys killed was a relative of someone with the same name, who is on Christmas Island at the moment," he said.
"They embarrassed the government, and they have finally brought international attention to the issue of West Papua."
The refugees have been sent to Christmas Island for processing by the Australian government.
Democrats Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Natasha Stott Despoja said she was disturbed by the reports.
"This latest violence highlights the ongoing human rights abuses in that region."
She said the Howard government must play a role in ensuring the safety of the asylum seekers and "those in West papua fearing for their lives".
Next article:
NSW sacking sparks police disgust
Previous article:
Cyclone approaching WA Pilbara coast
Email this story
Printer friendly version
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