Indonesia's new Ambassador to Canberra says relations between Australia and Indonesia will certainly be affected if Australia grants refugee status to more than 40 asylum seekers from the Indonesian province of Papua.

The group most of whom are men and activists arrived in northern Australia by canoe last month and are now held at Australia's remote Christmas Island detention centre in the Indian Ocean, waiting for a decision on their asylum claims. The leader of the Papua group on Christmas Island Herman Wainggai says he and the other independence activists will be killed if they're sent home. But the new Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Hamzah Thayeb says there's no basis for the claims.

Presenter/Interviewer: Peta Donald

Speakers: Hamzah Thayeb Indonesian Ambassador to Australia

Hamzah Thayeb: We see no reason for them to seek asylum. And they are not in the criminal list from the police. They have not done any criminal action. They just can go back and the President already gives guarantee that they will, if they decide to return back, they can do so.

Peta Donald: Well, they have come here seeking asylum. They say that they would be killed if they returned to the Indonesian province of Papua. One of their leaders, Herman Wainggai, is quoted as saying that the Indonesian military and the militias are treating, that these people are being treated like animals.

Hamzah Thayeb: There's no truth in what he is saying, because, again, ever since the reform we have changed fundamentally within ourselves. And what Mr Wainggai is saying, I don't know where he gets these ideas.

In Papua, we have this special autonomy. And within that special autonomy, we have already mechanisms, especially the Papua People's Council. It is, the composition is they're all Papuans, so Wainggai, I would tell him to, if he's for dialogue, dialogue with them. Try to address all these issues.

Peta Donald: Nonetheless, these people say they're afraid to return. The Australian Government says their asylum cases will be considered on their merit. It's not going to take into account its relationship with Indonesia in considering the plans. It'll uphold its international obligations. What will Indonesia do if these asylum seekers are granted refugee status in Australia?

Hamzah Thayeb: Again, I must really emphasise we do not see any reason for them to seek asylum, because there's no reason. No reason.

Peta Donald: But they are seeking asylum, what will you do if Australia grants them refugee status?

Hamzah Thayeb: That is for the Australian to, of course, to look into according to their own laws. But, as we see it, there's no reason for them to do so.

Peta Donald: Will it put a strain on the relationship if Australia does?

Hamzah Thayeb: I hope it will not, but it certainly would have an effect, that's why we have to manage this together and find a solution.