The Fellowship of Baptist Churches in the Indonesian region of Papua has renewed calls for a dialogue between the indigenous people and the government in Jakarta mediated by a neutral third party.
Its president, the reverend Socratez Sofyan Yoman says the humanitarian situation in Papua is bleak and dialogue is vital.
Last week at least 21 people died as a result of violence in the region.
The reverend Yoman says Jakarta should also open the region to humanitarian workers and foreign diplomats to allow them to see the situation first hand.
He's seeking support from around the world, including from the governments of Britain and the United States, the European Union and the United Nations, for the churches' call for dialogue.
