Vanuatu calls for UN probe of alleged rights abuses in Indonesia’s Papua provinces

Moana Kalosil Carcasses, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu. UN Photo/Ryan Brown

28 September 2013 – Vanuatu today called on the United Nations to appoint a Special Representative to investigate alleged human rights abuses in the Papuan provinces of Indonesia and their political status, with its Prime minister declaring that the West Papuans have been consistently denied any sort of recognition by the world body.

“We are now deliberating on the issue of Syria, but when it comes to the issue of the rights of the people of West Papua, our voices are muted even in this podium” Prime Minister Moana Carcasses Kalosil told the General Assembly’s annual General Debate, referring to the civil war that has killed some 120,000 Syrians, driver some 6.6 million from their homes and seen the use of chemical weapons.

“How can we then ignore hundreds of thousands of West Papuans who have been brutally beaten and murdered? The people of West Papua are looking to the UN as a beacon for hope… Let us, my colleague leaders, with the same moral conviction yield our support to the plight of West Papuans. It is time for the United Nation to move beyond its periphery and address and rectify some historical error.”

In May UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay voiced concern over a crackdown on mass demonstrations in the Papuan provinces and called on the Indonesian Government to allow peaceful protests and hold accountable those responsible for the violence. “There has not been sufficient transparency in addressing serious human rights violations in Papua,” she said.

During the crackdown, Indonesian police reportedly shot and killed two protesters on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the former Dutch New Guinea, occupying the western half of New Guinea Island, becoming part of Indonesia. At least 20 protesters were arrested, many for raising pro-independence flags.

“It is clear from many historical records that the Melanesian people of West Papua were the scapegoat of Cold war politics and were sacrificed to gratify the appetite for the natural resources which this country possess,” Mr. Kalosil said. “Today they are still the victims of ignorance of the UN.”

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WEST PAPUA NATIONAL COALITION FOR LIBERATION

PRIME MINISTER OF VANUATU ADDRESSED THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE WEST PAPUAN ISSUE

In this special release West Papua National Coalition for Liberation wishes to thank Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Moana Kalosil Carcasses on behalf of the people of West Papua for his address that was timely as the current UNGA meeting marks 50 years of UN silence on the West Papuan issue.

The address by Rt. Hon. Carcasses was devoted entirely on the issue of West Papua. He reminded the Assembly that human rights violations have taken place continuously for the past 50 years.

Even in May UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay voiced concern over a crackdown on mass demonstrations in the Papuan provinces where 2 people were shot dead and 20 others arrested. They demonstrated to mark the day 50 years ago when Indonesia annexed West Papua. “There has not been sufficient transparency in addressing serious human rights violations in Papua,” Ms Pillay said. On that note Hon. Carcasses posed a question, “How can we ignore hundreds of thousands of West Papuans who have been brutally beaten and murdered?”

On the 28th of September 2013 – Vanuatu called on the United Nations to appoint a Special Representative to investigate alleged human rights abuses in the Papuan provinces of Indonesia and their political status, with its Prime minister declaring that the West Papuans have been consistently denied any sort of recognition by the world body.

Rt. Hon. Moana Kalosil Carcases concluded by stating, “It is clear from many historical records that the Melanesian people of West Papua were the scapegoat of Cold war politics and were sacrificed to gratify the appetite for the natural resources which this country possess,” Mr. Kalosil said. “Today they are still the victims of ignorance of the UN.”

While the Vanuatu delegation was on the way to New York demonstrations were held in several towns and cities in West Papua (West New Guinea) stressing their support for Vanuatu’s stand on West Papua. Earlier, in June the sub regional body the Melanesian Spearhead Group decided for the first time to recognize the inalienable right of self-determination to the people of West Papua. It is also historic because for the first time too West Papua National Coalition for Liberation was invited to address the MSG Summit on behalf of West Papua.
UN News Centre