2) Pacific leaders call on Indonesia to open West Papua to UN Human Rights Chief
3) Pacific leaders urge Jakarta to allow UN visit to West Papua
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1) Abolish veto powers at UN – Wale
September 28, 2026 _ STAFF REPORTERS
SOLOMON Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has called for an end to veto powers held by permanent members of the United Nations. Image: SUPPLIED
SOLOMON Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has called for an end to veto powers held by permanent members of the United Nations.
Wale said double standards at the UN had led to unresolved human rights issues in West Papua and contributed to wars around the world.
The five permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, representing the allied powers after World War II. China holds the seat originally held by Taiwan until 1971.
Each of the five countries can block any non-procedural resolution, even if all other members vote in favour.
Wale described this provision as a “relic of 1945.”
“Too often it has been used to shield violations of international law and entrench the double standards that fuel conflict,’’ he said the United Nations General Assembly.
“The veto must never again be used in situations of genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes. Ultimately it should be abolished.’’
Wale pointed at continued human rights abuse in West Papua by members of the Indonesian security forces and Jakarta’s refusal to allow a visit to the territory by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
He said Solomon Islands reaffirmed its support for self-determination in Kanaky (New Caledonia) and the rights of the Maohi people in French Polynesia.
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2) Pacific leaders call on Indonesia to open West Papua to UN Human Rights Chief
Pacific Island leaders have used the 81st UN General Assembly in New York to renew calls for Indonesia to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua. The demands are a response to re-appearing reports of serious human rights violations in West Papua over the past decades. On 25 September 2026, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale, who referred to West Papuans as “our Melanesian brothers and sisters,” affirmed his country’s respect for Indonesia’s sovereignty but warned that the reports “must be independently verified, not left to become a matter of debate.” He echoed the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2019 call for the visit to proceed “without further delay,” describing it as “an act of trust between friends.” On 25 September, Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine reaffirmed the Forum’s position and pointed to Indonesia’s own 2018 invitation to the High Commissioner, a visit that has still not taken place.
The pressure on Jakarta is growing. Earlier this month, the Melanesian Spearhead Group warned that Indonesia’s associate membership would be reviewed if the visit does not happen in time for a report to be presented at the group’s 2027 summit. Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono responded by stressing national unity, saying diversity must be managed and respected. Wale also used his address to urge the international community to complete the work of decolonisation, reaffirming support for self-determination for the Kanak people of New Caledonia and the Maohi Nui people of French Polynesia.
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3) Pacific leaders urge Jakarta to allow UN visit to West Papua
RNZ Pacific reporters. Pacific 28 September 2026, 1:20pm
Pacific Islands leaders have used their addresses to the United Nations General Assembly to urge Indonesia to allow the UN human rights chief access to West Papua.
Pacific Islands Forum countries in 2019 requested that Indonesia allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit Papua to assess claims of widespread rights abuses.
No visit has resulted, leading to frustration for various Pacific governments.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale made an emotional plea to Indonesia at the UN, urging it to allow the UN human rights chief to have access to West Papua.
"Solomon Islands respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Indonesia, and we value our friendship with its government and people," Wale said at the UNGA.
"It is precisely because of that friendship that we speak with candour. Reports of human rights violations in West Papua have persisted for far too long. They must be independently verified, not left in dispute.”
Earlier this month, Solomon Islands and other countries in the Melanesian Spearhead Group said if the UN rights chief's visit was not facilitated by Indonesia in order for a report on human rights issues in West Papua to be produced by their next summit in 2027, then Indonesia's associate member status in the MSG will be reviewed.
"We therefore renew the call of Pacific Islands Forum Leaders for the Government of Indonesia to facilitate, without further delay, the long awaited visit of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to West Papua.
"Such a visit is an act of confidence between friends, and an affirmation that there is nothing to fear from the light."
Indonesian diversity
Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine added her country's voice to the push for action on West Papua.
"The Marshall Islands affirms the region's Pacific Islands Forum communiqué position regarding West Papua, including the 2018 invitation by Indonesia to the UN Human Rights Commissioner," she said.
A response of sorts was given by Indonesia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Sugiono: "As a nation of more than 280 million people, Indonesia has learned that diversity is not something to overcome; it is something to manage, respect and turn into strength to democratic participation, dialogue, and respect for differences," he said.
"We preserve our unity from Aceh to Papua, from Miangus to Roti. Indonesia is one people, Indonesia is one nation."
Decolonisation
Meanwhile, Wale also called for the international community to complete the work of decolonisation in parts of the world including the Pacific.
"Solomon Islands reaffirms its longstanding support for the right to self-determination of the Kanak people of New Caledonia and the Maohi Nui people of French Polynesia," he said.
Wale said the UN decolonisation process must offer more than hope.
"It must provide practical pathways to the full emancipation of peoples in Non-Self-Governing Territories, and to their freedom to determine their own political future and development aspirations.”
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