A public vigil led by the West Papua Council of Churches is stopped by Indonesian security forces, 16 August 2021 Photo: Supplied
The West Papua Council of Churches is calling on Indonesian President Joko Widodo to cease military operations in West Papua and seek dialogue with the West Papua Liberation Army or TPNPB.
An escalation of violence has taken place in the territory following the kidnapping of Kiwi Pilot Phillip Mehrtens in February this year.
West Papua Council of Churches' Moderator, Reverend Benny Giay told RNZ Pacific's Finau Fonua that Mertens' life is in danger and that dialogue is needed.
