1) NZers win West Papua advocacy award

1) NZers win West Papua advocacy award

2) Reports of 6 Papuan activists arrested and beaten

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http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/248956/nzers-win-west-papua-advocacy-award

1) NZers win West Papua advocacy award

Updated at 3:42 pm today

Two New Zealanders have been awarded the 2014 John Rumbiak Human Rights Defenders Award for their work pushing for improved human rights in Indonesia's Papua region.

The West Papua Advocacy Team says the Green Party's Catherine Delahunty has challenged the New Zealand government's community policing project in Papua and sought to provide a platform for Papuan rights advocates in the New Zealand Parliament.

The Advocacy Team says the second recipient, activist Maire Leadbeater, has worked tirelessly to inform New Zealand about the human rights crisis in West Papua.

Ms Delahunty says she is honoured to be considered.

"There are many people working all around the world and the Pacific to support the campaign for human rights and independence in West Papua. I'm one of the small players, have got the privilege of working in Parliament with the Green Party fully supporting my work. So yes, it's an incredible honour, I was most surprised to receive it and very, very humbled."

Catherine Delahunty says much more work still needs to be done.

John Rumbiak had worked in Papua for many years, raising concerns on human rights issues.

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http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/248975/reports-of-6-papuan-activists-arrested-and-beaten

2) Reports of 6 Papuan activists arrested and beaten

Updated about 1 hour ago

The Papua separatist group, the National Committee for West Papua, or the KNPB, has reported that six of its members were arrested, beaten and taken to the Jayapura Police Station onn Thursday.

The KNPB claims the six were arrested because they were distributing leaflets calling on West Papuans to boycott next week's presidential election.

A spokesperson for the Australia West Papua Association Joe Collins says the security forces appear to be targeting any civil society groups who are calling for a boycott of the election and have deployed over 300 police and soldiers for security in the region during the election.

The Puncak Jaya Police chief, has confirmed security forces have been called up to ensure there is no disruption during the election.

Another 3 members of the KNPB were arrested on June the 30th.

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