A West Papuan human rights defender has called for more Pacific islands countries to speak up internationally about human rights abuses in her homeland.

Fiji's diplomatic relations with Indonesia have come under intense scrutiny in Parliament this week over human rights abuses in West Papua.

The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has come under attack for "neglecting the cries of its people, particularly in West Papua".

Johnny Blades – The United Liberation Movement of West Papua has officially submitted an application for full membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

The United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) has officially submitted its application for full membership of the regional Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) with the formal handi

Vanuatu's Foreign Minister Ralph Reganvanu says the Pacific Islands' Forum needs to be stronger in its stance regarding West Papua.

Kizzy Kalsakau and Jason Abel – The Government of Indonesia has criticized Vanuatu for including a West Papuan leader and the United Liberal Movement for the people of West Papua (ULMW

Vanuatu's foreign minister has dismissed criticism from the Indonesian government for including the United Liberation Movement (ULMWP) for West Papua in its meeting with the UN High Co

The Free West Papua Movement, or OPM, has called for international action on the conflict in Indonesian-ruled Papua

Yashinta DP, Fardah, Jakarta – The Indonesian Government has sent a note of protest to the Government of Vanuatu for smuggling Papuan separatist Benny Wenda into the South Pacific nati

Civil society groups in Papua New Guinea are urging the government to speak out about violent conflict in the neighbouring Papua region of Indonesia.

Jason Abel – The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) in partnership with the Vanuatu West Papua Association and the South Moluccas association have joined in with West Pap

The Solomon Islands prime minister Rick Hou says his government wants nothing to do with West Papua.

The United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) demands the MSG immediately reviews Indonesia's status in the inter-government forum after yesterday's unwarranted arrest and incarc

Len Garae – "Let me assure the world that I can see the light at the end of the dark tunnel, that now the whole world knows more about West Papua than ever before so this is sure confid

Godwin Ligo – The issue of West Papua, was raised by Vanuatu at the United Nations 72nd General Assembly with exchanges of the Right of Reply between Vanuatu and Indonesia.

Pacific Media Centre – Vanuatu says New Zealand should get on the right side of history and support West Papuan self-determination.

Helen Davidson – Indonesia has accused Vanuatu of challenging "friendly relations" between the two countries and supporting separatist movements, after it offered support to West Papua

Three Pacific leaders have called out Indonesia at the UN for their human rights abuses in West Papua.

Indonesia has lashed out at Vanuatu over its representations about West Papua at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Pacific Media Centre – West Papua has been sidestepped by both the Melanesian Spearhead Group and the Pacific Islands Forum.

The West Papua National Committee has urged New Caledonia's indigenous Melanesians to vote for independence during the upcoming referendum.

Royson Willie – One of the regionalism priorities mentioned in the Final Communique of the Pacific Islands Forum Summit in Nauru this week was the engagement by Forum countries on issue

Nic Maclellan, Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru – Despite the lack of formal endorsement from this week's Pacific Island Forum in Nauru, Vanuatu will continue an initiative to have West P

Makereta Komai (PACNEWS News), Nauru – The Indonesian Government is keen to engage more with Pacific Island Countries as its steps up its presence in the region.

Indonesia's government is proposing $US4 million in funding towards influencing Pacific Island countries to change their position on Papua.

Makereta Komai, PACNEWS, Nauru – The government of Vanuatu is pursuing bilateral discussions with Leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru this week to seek their support for its p

Pacific Island civil society says the Pacific Island Forum leaders must support Vanuatu's effort to take the issue of West Papua to the UN.

A New Zealand-based West Papua advocacy group has appealed to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and other leaders meeting at the Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru next week to support Vanuatu'

A West Papua support group in New Zealand is calling on Pacific leaders to support Vanautu's push for the Indonesian region to be included on the UN's decolonisation list.

Fiji's Opposition Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa has called on the government of Fiji to "stop its betrayal" of the people of West Papua.

A congratulatory letter has been sent to Vanuatu Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai and to Vanuatu's special envoy on decolonisation for West Papua, Lora Lina.

Jane Joshua – Since her appointment as the Special Envoy on Decolonization of West Papua to the Pacific Island States, Lora Lini spoke exclusively to the Daily Post about how she sees h

Vanuatu's government could be alone among regional administrations in its bid to have West Papua inscribed on the United Nations de-colonisation list.

Gorethy Kenneth – Papua New Guinea will not and does not support the issue of West Papua now being pushed by Vanuatu at the United Nations.

Vanuatu presented its draft UN Resolution for West Papua at the recent Pacific Islands Forum Officials Committee (FOC) Meeting and the Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting held at the Taumea

Alexander Rheeney, Apia – Vanuatu has asked Pacific Islands Forum member states to support its resolution to the United Nations General Assembly next year to grant West Papuans self-det

The Vanuatu government has appointed Laura Lini as special envoy for West Papua. Ms Lini is the daughter of Walter Lini, who is known as the founding father of the Pacific nation.

Johnny Blades – Indonesia's influence in the Pacific Islands is growing, but is shadowed by disquiet over its region of Papua, known widely as West Papua.

Melanesian Spearhead Group director general Amena Yauvoli says political discussions about West Papua don't belong in the organisation.

Papua new Guinea's Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato says he has reaffirmed his country's support for Indonesian control of West Papua.

Solomon Islands police have defended removing a West Papuan flag from outside the Indonesian stall at the Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival in Honiara.

Papua New Guinea's prime minister has reportedly encouraged regional countries to take the issue of West Papua to the United Nations decolonisation committee.

Vilimaina Naqelevuki – Papua is still a sensitive subject for Papua New Guinea, says Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.

Solomon Islands police says they confiscated a West Papuan flag at the Melanesian Arts Festival to stop any provocation aimed at the Indonesian delegation.

The Government has expressed dismay at attempts by West Papua leader Jacob Rumbiak, to interfere and meddle in the country's national affairs.

Jayapura – United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) spokesperson Jacob Rumbiak has described the recent seven-person delegation from Solomon Islands to West Papua as 'a visitat

A leading foreign affairs official from the Solomon Islands government says it's now seeing a balanced picture on Indonesia's Papua region.

The Solomon Islands government says its official position on West Papua won't be made until after provincial consultations.

There should have been more transparency around a government-led delegation's visit to West Papua last month, a leader of Solomon Islands civil society says