Forum leaders call for open, constructive dialogue on West Papua

Pacific Island Forum Leaders have at the end of their annual meeting said they recognize the constructive engagement by the Forum countries with Indonesia regarding elections and human rights in West Papua.

The leaders have called for dialogue to continue in an open and constructive manner.

When asked whether the language in the communiqué around the issue of West Papua was weak, Samoa Prime Minister and Forum Chair, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said, no.

“It’s the most powerful wording we could find. You know these issues are very sensitive, he said at a post-Forum press conference in Apia, Samoa.

Last Wednesday, a small but vocal group of the Free West Papua movement staged a peaceful protest outside the venue of the Leaders meeting in Apia.

The protest was organized by Samoa First Union and the protestors wanted to bring attention to allegations of human rights abuses as well as West Papua’s right to self-determination.

However, Franzalbert Joku from the Ministry for Political, Judicial and Security in Indonesia said human rights abuses are no longer happening in West Papua like they used to.

“On the issue of Papua independence and human rights abuses allegations, we don’t think the forum is the appropriate place to address these issues," Joku said last week.

 

Photo caption: PIF Leaders and Secretary General, Dame Meg Taylor at the venue of the Leaders retreat at Taumeasina Island Resort in Apia.