Media release West Papuans should be granted refuge

Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

Media release 27 September 2013

West Papuans should be granted refuge

The Australia West Papua Association calls on the Australian Government to allow the West Papuans fleeing persecution to remain in Australia.

Media reports have stated that five men, one woman and a child crossed the Torres Strait from to Boigu Island in Far North Queensland on Tuesday. 

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Joe Collins of AWPA said "because of the news blackout on SIEV arrivals it is difficult to know if they are still in Australia or have already been sent to Manus Island or Nauru. Anybody who knows the situation in West Papua would have no doubt that they are genuine asylum seekers fleeing persecution by the Indonesian security forces and should be granted refuge in Australia".

AWPA has asked the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to raise the human rights situation in West Papua during their visit to Indonesia.

http://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/media-release-letter-to-aust-pm.html