An Australian helicopter pilot and two others who were kidnapped in the Papua New Guinea highlands, a region plagued by violence in recent years, have been freed.
Abducted Monday afternoon near Mount Sisa, in an isolated area of the central province of Hela where they had gone to work on a telecommunications tower, they are now "safe and sound", said the police of this state island in the Pacific Ocean.
“Through local leaders, the kidnappers were warned that police would not hesitate to use lethal force to free the hostages,” Police Commissioner David Manning said.
As the police and the army approached the area, the kidnappers - currently wanted in order to "be brought to justice", continued David Manning - let the three men return to their helicopter.
A wave of kidnappings and tribal violence in the highlands of New Guinea has left several hundred dead in recent years.
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Last week, more than 50 bodies were found alongside a main road following clashes between rival clans.
The government is under great pressure to strengthen security in the region.
“I want to inform everyone that crime does not pay, it ultimately leads to the arrest or death of criminals,” Papua Prime Minister James Marape told AFP.
The UN was moved last week on the social network to respect for human rights.
Highland communities, especially women and girls, must be protected.
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#PapuaNewGuinea: We urge the Govt.
to address escalating tribal violence & to engage w/ provincial and local leaders in a dialogue to achieve lasting peace & respect for human rights.
Highland communities, particularly women & girls, must be protected.
— UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) February 20, 2024
In mid-February, a video of a 38-year-old New Zealand pilot was released.
He was captured in February 2023 by the Papuan separatist group TPN-PB when he had just landed in a remote area to evacuate 15 workers who were building a health center there.
VIDEO.
New Zealand pilot Phillip Mark Mehrtens spoke to his loved ones in December
Dated December 23, 2023, the video shows Phillip Mark Mehrtens addressing his family for the first time in over six months.
“I'm fine, they're treating me well… I'm trying to stay positive and I hope that you and Jacob are healthy, that you're doing well and that you're getting support,” Phillip, physically weakened, had tried to reassure.