Australian helicopters used in 'genocidal' crackdown

The Asian Human Rights Commission has claimed that Australia supplied heicopters to Indonesia, which were then used against civilians in West Papau in the 1970's, in a "genocidal" crackdown.

According to a report released by the organisation, two Iroquois helicopters suplied by Australia, were used by the Indonesian military in 1977 ad 1978. They were used as part of a campaign against the pro-independence Free Papau Movement.

Basil Fernando, the AHRC director for policy and programme development, said,
"The long period of authoritarianism under Suharto has profoundly silenced the Indonesians from discussing its dark history related to Papua."

"Without any recognition from the government and the public at large in Indonesia on the state-sponsored wrongdoings in Papua, the ongoing conflicts in the area will only continue."

"There should be genuine efforts from the government to provide justice for the Papuans, one of which is by fulfilling their right to truth."

Read the report from the Guardian here.

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