THE INDONESIAN POLICIES IN HANDLING AUSTRALIAN CRITICS ON HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES IN THE WEST PAPUA PROVINCE (2006-2012)

Abstract

The ups and downs Australia-Indonesia bilateral relations occurred over sixty years. The fluctuation of cooperation and tensions colored the bilateral relations. The self-determination issue of East Timor in the past brought Indonesia feels suspicious upon Australia. Recently, the issue of West Papua makes Indonesia worried, due to the possibility of Australian’s interference upon the issue of West Papua is high. The human rights are one of Australian consideration in concerning West Papua issue. The Australian critics which are public and senator actively critizing the Indonesian government over West Papua. Therefore, the Indonesian government tried to solve the West Papuan problems through domestic and foreign policies in order to handle the critics.

This research aimed to analyze the Indonesian policies in handling the Australian critics on human rights issues in the West Papua province. The prosperity approach, special autonomy and creation of Unit Pembangungan Percepatan Provinsi Papua dan Papua Barat are the Indonesian policies domestically, on the other hand the formula of Lombok Treaty as well as article 2 item 2 is one of Indonesian foreign policies. Therefore, it is expected the research could gives information about Indonesian policies in handling the Australian critics.

The qualitative research is the main research methodology of this research. The case study, descriptive analysis and the interpretation from prominent figures of Australia and Indonesia’s statements were the reason behind qualitative research applied into this research. The time framework of this research is 7 years from 2006 until 2012.

The failure of Indonesian policies upon West Papua; the Australian critics on human rights issues in West Papua; and the nature of human rights were the three reasons Australian critizing Indonesian over West Papua. Thus, the Indonesian policies showed that it is effective enough in handling the Australian critics.