SOLOMON Islands Opposition Leader Matthew Wale is the lone Pacific voice calling for urgent international action to compel Indonesia to allow independent scrutiny and accountability in West Papua.
Wale’s call came as reports emerged of a military attack on a refugee camp in Kembru, Puncak Regency and coordinated operations in Sinak and Pogoma Districts.
Across the Pacific, however, Pacific leaders remained silent.
Wale called on the international community and Pacific leaders to pressure Indonesia to open West Papua to the eyes of the world.
Pacific leaders have in the past called on Indonesia to allow a regional ministerial mission to travel to West Papua and determine whether reports of human rights abuses by Indonesian troops are true.
Jakarta has failed to act on these calls but maintains a seat in a number of Pacific organisations, including the Melanesian Spearhead Group.
“What further action will the region take since Indonesia has made it clear they have no intention of facilitating such a visit?’’ Wale asked in an interview with InDepth Solomons.
“We refuse to deal with Indonesia, to trade with them or sign bilateral agreements until the UN is allowed access?
“Will the MSG expel Indonesia for murdering Melanesians? I call for real action that Indonesia cannot ignore. While the world delays, West Papuans die.”
He emphasized that the continued denial of access to the United Nations, independent observers and international media raises serious concerns about transparency and the protection of human rights in West Papua.
“Transparency is not optional. If there is nothing to hide then West Papua must be accessible to the world,” he said.
Wale warned that continued inaction would only prolong suffering.
