Priest wins prize for Papua peace efforts Indonesia
(March 13, 2013) Activist Priest Father Neles Tebay Kebadabi was honoured with
South Korea’s prestigious Tji Hak-soon Justice and Peace Award on Wednesday, for his
struggle to bring an end to conflict in Indonesia’s easternmost province, Papua. Fr
Neles, a member of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference and organizations, including
the Papuan Peace Network, set up a new dialogue process between the Papua independence
movement and the government in Jakarta. “Father Neles is a bright yet humble person.
He was able to embrace people of all cultures and religion. From the poor to the rich,
natives and immigrants, he has dedicated his life to bring peace to everywhere he
goes,” the Tji Hak-soon Justice and Peace Foundation said in a statement announcing
this year’s award. Fr Neles said he did not deserve the $ 10,000 prize but it
indicates that Papuans and the Indonesian government were on the right track in trying
to bring about peace.