News Stories
Category: Human Rights
Pacific Islands Forum describes Vanuatu’s support for West Papua as “admirable”
February 14, 2019
Article originally published on the Vanuatu Daily Post. Vanuatu has always been very principled in its approach to West Papua, in the issue of self-determination of any country, particularly in our own region, Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Dame Meg Taylor said. She says the approach by Vanuatu is a very admirable position to take. Dame […]
Chairman of the ULMWP condemns Indonesian crack-down on freedom of expression
February 11, 2019
[Note: This statement was originally published by the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP).] On January 25, I, as chairman of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), led by the courage and spirit of the people of West Papua, delivered a historic petition to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, in […]
Indonesian police admit to torturing West Papuan activist with a snake
February 10, 2019
The Indonesian police have admitted to using a snake to torture and terrorise West Papuan activist Sam Lokon in Wamena. In a disturbing video which went viral on social media, the Indonesian police can be seen sadistically laughing and using a snake over two meters long to terrorise Sam Lokon, threatening to push it into […]
Indonesia signals it will allow UN to visit West Papua, after historic West Papuan people’s petition
January 30, 2019
Following the historic West Papuan people’s petition being delivered to the United Nations last week, The Guardian has reported that the Indonesian government has signalled it is willing to allow United Nations Human Rights inspectors to visit West Papua and help document human abuses. According to the Guardian website: ‘The office of the high commissioner […]
UN Human Rights Commissioner confirms receiving the West Papuan petition
January 29, 2019
Today, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, confirmed that High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet received the West Papuan People’s Petition on Friday 25th January. According to a report by CNN, Deputy Spokesperson for the High Commissioner, Ravina Shamdasani stated “In this meeting, a member of the Vanuatu delegation and Benny Wenda […]
West Papuan Petition for Referendum signed by 1.8 million people delivered to the UN
January 29, 2019
Jakarta, Indonesia CNN – the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has handed over a petition that was signed by 1.8 million people to demand a referendum on the independence of West Papua to the Chairperson of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations ( UN ), Michelle Bachelet. “Today is a historic […]
UK Parliamentarians welcome handing-in of historic West Papuan People’s Petition
January 28, 2019
A group of UK parliamentarians in the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for West Papua have welcomed the handing-in of the historical West Papuan People’s Petition to the UN human rights chief. In a statement, the APPG said: The All-Party Parliamentary Group on West Papua is overjoyed to hear that the West Papuan People’s Petition has […]
Press Release: Historic petition for West Papuan self-determination handed to UN High Commissioner amidst humanitarian crisis and alleged chemical weapons use
January 25, 2019
SUMMARY: The West Papuan People’s Petition calling for self-determination, signed by 1.8 million West Papuans, is handed to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; Concern over thousands of displaced Papuans as a result of Indonesian military operations in Nduga Regency; Chemical weapons deployed by Indonesian military. TEXT: West Papuan leader, Benny Wenda, today handed […]
URGENT APPEAL: HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN NDUGA, WEST PAPUA
January 22, 2019
Over the past month, thousands of indigenous West Papuans have been displaced after fleeing air strikes, hiding in the highland jungle without food, water, or access to health-care or shelter. According to recent local reports a mother, and her child and three other children have died due to starvation. The Indonesian army has sealed off […]
West Papuan leaders blame deaths of three babies on Indonesian crackdown
January 22, 2019
The Guardian reports: United Liberation Movement for West Papua says thousands of civilians displaced and 10 shot by Indonesian military Three babies who died during childbirth are among the civilian deaths West Papuan leaders are blaming on a brutal crackdown by Indonesian forces in the region of Nduga. They are calling for Indonesia to allow humanitarian […]