Repeka Nasiko – The Australian West Papua Association (AWPA) in Sydney has written a letter to Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) leaders urging them to discuss and speak out against the deteriorating human rights situation in the territory at the next MSF forum in Fiji.

In his letter to the MSG, Joe Collins of the AWPA said the issue of West Papua will not disappear and AWPA believes that as the situation in West Papua deteriorates further it could lead to instability in the region.

Collins urged the MSG Leaders to discuss the deteriorating human rights situation in West Papua and to make a public statement of concern regarding the human rights situation in the territory. "We note that the MSG is to allow Indonesia to attend as an observer at the MSG summit." he said.

"AWPA urges the MSG to now offer full membership to the Melanesian people of West Papua, to those representatives of the West Papuan people involved in the independence struggle.A precedent previously gave by the MSG to Front de Liberation Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) of Kanaky (New Caledonia)."

Adding that they "believe the MSG can play an important role in helping facilitate dialogue between genuine representatives of the West Papuan leadership and the Indonesian Government."

The AWAPA also urged the MSG to do all it can to help facilitate such a dialogue.

The MSG forum begins tomorrow starting with the MSG Police Commissioners conference. The forum is expected to continue for the next few days and will end on March 28 with the MSG senior officials meeting.