Having conceded to Indonesian demands, the Howard Government has squandered an unprecedented opportunity to push for overdue reform in West Papua.

The proposed security agreement is nothing more than a cynical handshake with the Indonesian military, a recognised source of instability within our region.

The Howard government has chosen instead to stifle legitimate voices of dissent which are calling for basic human rights including self-determination. In so doing, it is expressing its tacit support of the continued atrocities perpetrated against indigenous West Papuans.

This government has missed its chance to set reasonable pre-conditions in the new security treaty, such as international media access or ensuring that foreign aid is not channelled through the Indonesian military.

"Instead, it has used the joint security agreement to once again put short-sighted political strategy above human dignity. West Papuans are still being killed for peacefully expressing their political opinions," said a spokesperson for the Free West Papua Campaign.

The Howard government talks about values and a structured narrative to history. This treaty should serve as an ominous warning to the Australian people about the types of values we are now exporting to the world.

For further information, please contact: Nick Chesterfield, spokesperson, m: 0409 268 978