AWPA Statement West Papua , the elephant in the room- as the C-24 meets in Bali

AWPA Statement 24 May 2023

 

West Papua, the elephant in the room- as the  C-24 meets in Bali

 

The International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories  (NSGT) is commemorated annually from  25-31 May.

 

The Special Committee on Decolonization  (C-24) will  hold its 2023 Pacific Regional Seminar, in Bali, Indonesia, from 24 to 26 May.

 

Joe Collins of AWPA said, “although West Papua is not on the list  of  Non-Self-Governing Territories , it should be.  Its 60 years since UNTEA transferred West Papua to Indonesian administration , who then unceremoniously removed it from the list. As for the so-called act of free choice held  in 1969, it was a sham and referred to by West Papuans as the act of no choice".

 

The situation in West Papua is seriously deteriorating with ongoing human rights  abuses in the territory.

 

There are regular Armed clashes between the Free Papua Movement and the Indonesian security forces. West Papuans continue to be arrested at peaceful demonstrations and Papuans risk being charged with treason for taking part in the rallies. The military operations in the highlands have created  up to 60,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), many facing starvation because they fear returning to their food gardens because of the Indonesian security forces.

 

Recent armed clashes have also created new IDPs. New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens  who has been held by the West Papuan National Liberation Army (TPNPB)  for  over 3 months, said the Indonesian army has been dropping bombs in the area where he’s being held (in ABC News report April 26, 2023). 

Although we cannot expect the C-24 to review the situation of West Papua (at this stage) as it would only bring to attention the complete failure by the UN to protect the people of West Papua,  (although in the past NSGT has reinscribed colonies.   https://news.un.org/en/story/2013/05/440012-general-assembly-adds-french-polynesia-un-decolonization-list )

 

Joe Collins said,   “It is hoped as they meet in Bali  that the C-24 members who would be well aware of the ongoing human rights abuses in West Papua committed by the Indonesian security forces,  will urge Jakarta to allow the High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua  on a fact finding mission to report on the deteriorating human rights situation  in the territory.” It’s the least they could do.

Ends

Unfree flags. Leichhardt Town Hall 1st December

Background

Special Committee on Decolonization to Hold Pacific Regional Seminar in Bali, Indonesia, 24-26 May

https://press.un.org/en/2023/gacol3365.doc.htm#:~:text=The%20theme%20of%20the%202023,%2DSelf%2DGoverning%20Territories%E2%80%9D.

 

 

C-24 members

https://www.un.org/dppa/decolonization/en/c24/members

 

 

 

International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories
25-31 May

https://www.un.org/en/observances/non-self-governing-week

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