Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – Hundreds of Papuans rallied Friday in Papua and West Papua provinces during a one-day visit by special representative of the UN Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders Hina Jilani. In both provinces, Jilani was greeted with rallies.

In Papua, the protesters, from the Coalition of Community Concern on Papua and the United Front of West Papua People's Fight, welcomed Jilani, while others called on her to "stop the genocide of the Papuans" and "stop the killing in West Papua".

In West Papua's capital city Manokwari, the protesters called on the UN to put pressure on Jakarta to overturn the 1969 referendum that joined the territory to Indonesia, AFP reported.

"We urge the United Nations to accept the Papuan people's aspiration to review the Act of Free Choice," as the referendum was known, rally organizer Jek Wanggai told AFP by phone.

"The United Nations must register Papuan areas as colonized zones and organize an immediate referendum vote."

The protesters gathered outside the hotel where Jilani was staying Jayapura, demanding to see her. Jilani briefly met the protesters, during which their representative, Bucthar Tabuni, handed her a green map detailing human rights violations in Papua.

A rally was also held outside Papua Legislative Council building but was broken up by police.

Jilani met with top Papuan officials, including provincial secretary Tedjo Suprapto, Papua Police chief Brig. Gen. Max Donald Aer, the council's speaker John Ibo as well as religious leaders and non-governmental activists.

Jilani said she was in the province to check on reports received by the UN that several human rights workers in Papua were not comfortable conducting their work and believed they were being spied on. Such reports were also received by Papua Legislative Council speaker John Ibo.

"I told Ibu Jilani that several human rights workers in Papua are working under pressure, getting outside intervention that makes them uncomfortable in doing their work," John Ibo told journalists after meeting Jilani.

Max D. Aer said the report received by Jilani did not reflect the real situation in Papua since the police guaranteed all people's safety.

"If there are those who feel uncomfortable we're open to getting the report. Our job is to protect people. If people don't feel comfortable, please file a report," he said.

Jilani, who was first named by to the post by the secretary general in 2000 following a request from the Commission on Human Rights, is assigned to support the implementation of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and gather information on the actual situation of human rights defenders around the world.

According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, as a special representative Jilani is assigned to seek, receive, examine and respond to information on the situation and the rights of anyone, acting individually or in association with others, to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The special representative was asked to submit annual reports to the commission and to the General Assembly.