Media release- The PIF leaders can help the West Papuan people

Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

PO Box 28, Spit Junction, NSW 2088

Media release- 3 September 2015 

The PIF leaders can help the West Papuan people 

As the 46th Pacific Islands Forum summit in Port Moresby approaches (7-11 September) civil society groups throughout the region are calling on the PIF leaders to help the West Papuan people. 

Solidarity and church groups are calling on the PIF leaders to have the issue of West Papua as one of its priority issues on the agenda at the Forum.  In the past the situation in West Papua has been discussed at the PIF and concerns at the human situation in the territory mentioned in the official communiqué. However, in recent years it has been dropped from the PIF agenda no doubt because of pressure from Australia and Indonesia.

Joe Collins of AWPA said, “ It is hoped that the PIF leaders have noted the growing support throughout the Pacific region for the right of the people of West Papua to self-determination.  The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) leaders noted this growing support for West Papua when the granted the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) observer status at the MSG summit in the Solomon Islands.  Solidarity groups in the region have written to the PIF leaders urging that West Papua be not only put back on the agenda at the PIF but that the PIF leaders go on a fact finding mission to West Papua to investigate the human rights situation in the territory”. 

The MSG leaders have brought West Papua back to the Pacific. Time for the PIF leaders to do the same. 

Ends.