2) Activists say latest West Papua arrests an escalation
1) UK urges Indonesia to firm up UN human rights vsit
6:05 pm today
The British government is encouraging Indonesia to allow access to West Papua for the UN human rights chief's office.
It's part of the UK's support for a recent Pacific Islands Forum resolution.
At their last summit before the pandemic, in 2019, Pacific Forum leaders agreed to press Indonesia to allow the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights into Papua region.
The regional body seeks an independent report on extensive alleged human rights abuses in Papua
In the past few years, the ONHCR repeatedly requested access, but Jakarta's expressions of willingness have yet to materialise in a visit.
Officials from the British Embassy in Jakarta have discussed a proposed visit with Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The British Minister for Asia at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office of State Nigel Adams said they urged Indonesia to agree to dates as soon as possible.
But he said the UK's position continue to be that the propvinces of Papua and West Papua remain part of Indonesia.
Adams also said that the UK considered dialogue on territorial issues in Indonesia as a matter for the Indonesian people.
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2) Activists say latest West Papua arrests an escalation
1:20 pm today
A human rights campaigner in West Papua has been arrested by Indonesian security forces.
Film-maker Wensislaus Fatubun was one of 54 people arrested in Merauke.
The group, which included church pastors and local politicians, had been planning a meeting to discuss Indonesia's intention to extend the Special Autonomy laws.
West Papua Action Aotearoa's, Catherine Delahunty, said the arrests were an escalation in Indonesia's response to West Papuan opposition to the Special Autonomy extension.
She said they had written to New Zealand's Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta asking her to query her Indonesian counterpart about the arrests.
"For just planning a meeting they were arrested and held overnight, some of their resources taken off them, and now they are being charged with treason related charges.
"This is a very concerning escalation - activists and protesters are often arrested, but to be simply planning a meeting and be arrested is outrageous."
Wensislaus Fatubun was in New Zealand in 2018 to meet politicians, officials and local communities.
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