Pacific Coalition on West Papua gains momentum

September 7, 2016

The Pacific Coalition on West Papua (PCWP) recently met in Honolulu, Hawaii and is fast gaining momentum with eight Pacific nations now backing West Papua!

The initial members of the PCWP were Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) of Kanaky/New Caledonia and the United Liberation Movement of West Papua as well as the Pacific Islands Alliance of Non-Governmental Organisations (PIANGO). The two new members are the governments of Tuvalu and the Republic of Nauru and the two nations expressing their support are the Kingdom of Tonga and the Republic of Marshall Islands.

The Pacific Coalition on West Papua meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii. Delegates included the Prime Ministers of Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Marshall Islands

The Pacific Coalition on West Papua meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii. Delegates included the Prime Ministers of Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu as well as the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum and the General Secretary of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP). Photo: Solomon Islands Prime Minister’s Press Secretariat Office

 

From Solomon Islands Prime Minister’s Press Secretariat Office

The PCWP was initiated by Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare of Solomon Islands who is also the Chair of the Melanesian Spearhead Group with the aim of securing the support of the wider Pacific region for preposition of taking up the issue of West Papua with the United Nations for intervention.

In his opening remarks today, Prime Minister Sogavare said the nations of the Pacific have a duty as closest neigbours to West Papua to address the issues of concern to West Papuan.

pcwp

The Pacific Coalition of West Papua members and friends discussing the way forward for the struggles for self-determination by the people of West Papua. Photo and Caption: Solomon Islands Prime Minister’s Press Secretariat Office

He said the right to self-determination being denied to the people of West Papua since the last 50 years is a fundamental principle of the United Nations Charter, just like the rights to life and dignity that they are also denied as a result of their self-determination pursuit.

Thanks to the Pacific Coalition on West Papua

We are fully grateful to the incredible Pacific Coalition on West Papua, the Leaders of the Pacific and all our Pacific Islands family for their truly strong support and solidarity for West Papua’s self-determination!

Just three years ago there was only one nation standing up for West Papua and now the list is growing all the time.

This is down to the dedication, hard work and people power of some many people across the Pacific, encouraging their governments to Take Action and show solidarity for West Papuan self-determination.

We urge everyone to please keep up the momentum and keep spreading the message to their friends, their families and their governments.

You can find out how to TAKE ACTION FOR WEST PAPUA HERE

Help us to bring an end to the ongoing illegal occupation and genocide in West Papua. Together, we will help West Papua be a free Pacific Island nation once again!