Call for urgent New Zealand action in response to killings in West Papua

The Indonesia Human Rights Committee has sent an urgent Fax to Foreign Minister Phil Goff to urge him to take action in response to the latest accounts of killings and military sweeping operations in West Papua.

Reports are coming in that at least 10 people were killed in an execution style raid in the village of Jalenga in the Baliem Valley. A 6 year old child was injured in the raid which is said to have involved about 200 armed Indonesian troops.

" Only days ago on Australian television representatives of the Free Papua movement issued an appeal to the international community to mediate in their conflict with Indonesia. The West Papuans have been calling for dialogue and for their country to be a "Zone of Peace"

"Just as in Aceh it is extremely difficult for the outside world to know what is going on since Indonesia has been excluding most journalists and independent observers."

"In the light of the escalating violence it is time for New Zealand to become proactive, and offer to do everything it can to help bring about peaceful dialogue New Zealand has undertaken mediation with some success in the case of the Bougainville conflict. Yet when it comes to West Papua, Phil Goff has been unwilling to offer to help unless 'invited' by Indonesia. . The lives of defenceless West Papuans are now dependent on decisive action."

"New Zealand should also act now to ensure that this issue is raised at the United Nations General Assembly which is in session now. New Zealand should also support the international campaign for the United Nations to undertake a review of its own actions at the time of the phony 1969 "Act of Free Choice" when Indonesia incorporated West Papua into Indonesia against the wishes of the majority of the population.

© Scoop Media