News Stories
Tag: Self Determination
West Papua Council of Churches calls for immediate UN investigation in West Papua
April 16, 2021
The West Papua Council of Churches (WPCC) has written to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, on April 12, urging an immediate visit to West Papua to investigate the escalating ‘humanitarian crisis’. The WPCC, representing the four major denominations of Christians in West Papua, also wrote to the leaders of the Melanesian […]
Robert Courts MP Speech on West Papua in UK Parliament
May 15, 2019
The following speech was given by Conservative MP, Robert Courts, to open the first-ever House of Commons debate on West Papua. I beg to move, That this House has considered human rights in West Papua. It is an honour to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Hollobone. I am delighted to have been granted this extremely […]
US State Department: West Papuans jailed for supporting referendum
March 15, 2019
The United States Department of State has confirmed that Indonesia jailed West Papuans gathering a petition for independence. In its 2018 assessment report for Indonesia, the US State Department says: “On March 12, an (Indonesian) district court in Papua Province convicted Papuan activist Yanto Awerkion and sentenced him to 10 months in prison for involvement […]
Indonesian police say they will “arrest anyone” calling for West Papua’s independence
March 2, 2019
On Wednesday 27th February, the Head of the Indonesian police in West Papua, Inspector General Martuani Sormin Siregar announced that any people advocating West Papua’s freedom will be arrested. After a joint meeting with the Indonesian police, he stated, “If there is anyone who shouts for independence in the Unitary Republic of Indonesia, we will […]
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 […]