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
The Solomon Star reports Development Service Exchange (DSE) spokesperson Jennifer Wate made the comment while rejecting any involvement in the trip.
This is despite its own chairsperson, Inia Barry, being among several from civil society organisations who went along on the visit, which was hosted by Indonesia.
Jennifer Wate said her organisation had found out about the trip the evening before the delegation's departure for West Papua. She said the DSE did not endorse Mr Barry or any of the other civil society representatives who took part in the West Papua visit.
She said her organisation was not aware of any details of the trip or its terms of reference and she called on the Solomon Islands government in the future to formally approach the DSE on matters that required civil sector representation.
Jennifer Wate also admonished the government for not informing civil society groups in West Papua ahead of their trip.