| Home > South-East Asia >> West Papua | |
Australian PM urged to talk to Jokowi about Papua
Radio New Zealand International - November 11, 2015
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua has called on Mr Turnbull to discuss violence by security forces aganst West Papuans.
The ULMWP says that since President Jokowi signalled his intention for a peaceful solution to the West Papua problem, Australia's government should be proactive about being part of this solution.
Meanwhile, the Australia West Papua Association has written to Mr Turnbull urging him to raise issues such as the crackdown on peaceful civil society groups, intimidation of journalists and the killing of civilians including school children by Indonesian security forces.
Echoing the ULMWP, the AWPA is asking for Canberra's support for the request from Pacific Islands Forum leaders to Jakarta to allow a Forum fact-finding mission to West Papua.
The talks between Australia and Indonesia's leaders represent an opportunity to repair the bilateral relationship after damages sustained during Tony Abbott's tenure as Australian prime minister.
However, Mr Turnbull is widely expected to maintain his predeccesor's stand of not questioning Jakarta on Papua issues.
The new Australian prime minister, responding to a recent ULMWP letter, indicated that his government would prioritise economic interests over support to reinscribe West Papua on the UN list of territories to be decolonised.
See also:
 |
West Papua West Papua Links Statements and Press Releases on West Papua Indoleft Archive Indonesia links Indonesia News Digest News services on Indonesia Publications & videos on Indonesia Reports & articles on Indonesia Statements & press releases on Indonesia