WPAA condemns Foreign Minister for lack of support for Fact-Finding mission

West Papua Action Auckland (WPAA) is shocked at Murray McCully’s refusal to back a fact-finding mission for West Papua at the Pacific Island Forum.

‘ It is well past time that New Zealand woke up to the most serious human rights crisis in the Pacific. The blind eye approach is disgraceful in the face of ongoing security force killings and torture not to mention the repression of basic freedoms such as the right to raise a flag or get signatures on a petition,’ said Maire Leadbeater for West Papua Action Auckland.

‘The fact that West Papua is on the Forum agenda for the first time since 2007 is proof that the people of the Pacific want to see change for their Melanesian sisters and brothers. The issue is one of the five key issues for consideration by the 16 Pacific delegations – but apparently New Zealand already has a closed mind.’

‘This year’s Forum has a clear challenge – West Papuan people are pleading for their Pacific neighbours to hear their cries and a fact finding mission is a modest step in the right direction. The consequences of doing nothing would cast doubt on the future of the Forum as anything more than a talk-fest.’

‘The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) opted to grant observer status to the new umbrella group the United Liberation Movement for West Papua. The MSG leaders accepted a 55,000 signature petition calling for West Papuan inclusion in the MSG – the signatures were gathered from people from all across the territory despite severe security force intimidation. This amazing democratic effort must not be in vain.

ENDS

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