Civil society advocates have called on Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders to address the issue of West Papua when they meet in Honiara this week.

An open letter said the region had issued several communiques about human rights abuses by Indonesia in the annexed territory, but a new approach was needed.

"It is timely to recall that for nearly two decades, Pacific communiques have raised concerns about West Papua. With the 2025 PIF Leaders' Meeting approaching, West Papuan and Pacific CSOs are now urging leaders and CROP agencies to turn words into action," civil society organisations from across the Pacific and West Papua said.

The letter highlighted escalating the humanitarian and human-rights crisis, marked by widespread intimidation, service disruptions, and displacement now exceeding 100,000 people.

The organisations – among the Pacific Conference of Churches, the Pacific Network on Globalisation, Papuan faith groups and media organisations – stressed that this was not a distant issue, but a Pacific responsibility.

Key recommendations in the letter were:

1. Independent scrutiny – Re-issue a time-bound invitation for an OHCHR visit; proceed with a PIF fact-finding mission reporting to the 2026 Foreign Ministers' Meeting; and support a civil-society-led "People's Mission" to ensure West Papuan voices are heard.

2. Needs-based humanitarian response – Activate neutral mechanisms to deliver aid and protection to displaced communities, including those seeking refuge in PNG, while resourcing and safeguarding local responders.

3. Mediation and IHL – Use regional good offices and multi-track, women-led mediation to encourage a monitored ceasefire and uphold civilian protections under the Geneva Conventions, ensuring unimpeded humanitarian access.

Each Pacific delegation will be given a copy of the letter.

Source: https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/call-to-w-papua-action