The human rights situation in West Papua should be raised with Indonesia at the Post-Forum Dialogue in Niue, Joe Collins of AWPA said. Indonesia is a Post- Forum Dialogue partner and here is a chance for the pacific island countries to express their concerns about the human rights situation in West Papua with Indonesia.

Since since last year's PIF, human rights abuses have continued to be committed by the security forces in West Papua. West Papuans can be jailed for simply raising their national flag, the Morning Star. The West Papuan people are a pacific people and it should be the leaders of the pacific countries who are leading the way in showing concern at the deteriorating human rights situation in West Papua.

The intimidation by the security forces of the West Papuan people is all pervasive and creates a climate of fear in the people of West Papua. The overwhelming military presence ensures that the security forces can act with total impunity. It is time for the independent countries of the pacific to show their concern for all Pacific Peoples who are still struggling for their right to self-determination. (AWPA has also written to all the PIF leaders asking that they raise the human rights situation in West Papua with the Indonesian President and urging him to release all West Papuan political prisoners as a sign of good faith to the West Papuan people. AWPA also called on the PIF to send a fact finding mission to West Papua to investigate the human rights situation in the territory).

For more information contact Joe Collins on 04077 857 97