According to the UN there are 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories.

In the Pacific region there are 6. French Polynesia and New Caledonia/Kanaky. (France). American Samoa and Guam (US). Pitcairn (UK) and Tokelau (NZ).

Another territory which is not on the list of self governing terrorites but should be is West Papua.

59 years ago, West Papua (Netherlands New Guinea) was removed from the list when the territory was handed over to Indonesian administration by the UN in 1963.

59 years later the West Papuan people are still fighting and dying for their right to self determination.

Joe Collins of AWPA said, "its tragic that the West Papuan have been betrayed so many times by the international community. In 1962, New York agreement. In 1963 when removed from the list of non self governing terrorities by the UN and again in 1969 with the so called act of free choice which was anything but."

59 years after the Indonesian takeover, the situation in the terrority continues to deteriorate with ongoing clashes between the Indonesian security forces and the West Papua National Liberation Army. last update. Crackdowns and arrests of peaceful demonstrators continue and thousands of internal refugees because of security force operations.

The exploitation of the natural resources of the terrority continues and there is the proposed to divide West Papua into more provinces against the wishes of the West Papuan people. Not only a case of divide and rule but more provinces means more military and more exploitation of the natural resources of the territory.

The West Papuan continue to call for a real referendum.

Joe Collins said, "that although we have a new government in Australia, we can't expect any change in the relationship with Indonesian. It will continue to recognise Indonesian soveriginity over West Papua but hopefully will be more likely to raise concerns about the human rights situation in the terrority which would be a good start."

It is also hoped the the new government will support the call by Pacific leaders and the new network of EU Parliamentarians in calling on Jakarta to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to be allowed into West Papua to investigate the human rights situation in the territory.

Source: https://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com/2022/05/international-week-of-solidarity-with.htm