New Zealand FM urges Papua separatists to free pilot

Foreign Minister Winston Peters calls for action in the yearlong hostage situation of New Zealand pilot in Papua

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has issued an urgent appeal for the release of pilot Phillip Mehrtens, kidnapped in Indonesia’s Papua region over a year ago. 

Mehrtens, an employee of Susi Air, was captured on Feb. 7, 2023, by a faction of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) led by Egianus Kogoya.

Papua is a resource-rich area controversially annexed by Indonesia in 1969. The situation there has been tense, with escalating conflicts since 2018. The TPNPB, demanding Papuan independence, threatened to shoot Mehrtens if negotiations were denied.

“We strongly urge those holding Phillip to release him immediately and without harm,” Peters stated, highlighting Mehrtens’ role in providing crucial air services to remote communities at the time of his abduction. New Zealand agencies have been collaborating with Indonesian authorities to secure the pilot’s release, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade supports Mehrtens’ family, who have requested privacy.

The rebels, known for increasingly deadly attacks in their independence bid, have used Mehrtens in videos to appeal to the United Nations for mediation. In one such video, Mehrtens was seen with the banned Morning Star flag, symbolizing Papuan independence.

Interestingly, TPNPB spokesperson Sebby Sambom called for Mehrtens’ release, citing that no country has ever achieved independence through hostage-taking. Despite this, there is no indication that the factionalized group will immediately release Mehrtens.

Source: Newsroom