Regional diplomacy on West Papua ramps up
WEST Papua was first included on the agenda at a Forum leaders meeting in Kiribati in 2000, but the issue has been an ongoing
West Papua
PM Wale raises West Papua concerns at UNGA
SOLOMON Islands Prime Minister Mathew Wale has urged Indonesia to allow a long-awaited United Nations human rights visit to West Papua, telling the UN General Assembly that persistent reports of abuses must be
Four years left to advance Kanaky decolonisation
THE Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) is pushing for the decolonisation of Kanaky, New Caledonia, to receive renewed and regular attention from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), as the United Nations’ current
Napat, Naupa reaffirm MSG support for Kanak self-determination, West Papua rights
VANUATU Prime Minister Jotham Napat and new Melanesian Spearhead Group Director General Dr Anna Naupa reaffirmed support for the right of the Kanak people to self-determination and discussed the human rights situation
Wale provides lone voice on West Papua
SOLOMON Islands Opposition Leader Matthew Wale is the lone Pacific voice calling for urgent international action to
Talk peace, Papuans tell Indonesia
PAPUAN peace advocates have called on Indonesia to initiate dialogue or peace negotiations to end 50 years of
Call to W Papua action
CIVIL society advocates urge Pacific Islands Forum leaders to address West Papua at this week’s Honiara
Riots over Papua arrests
ELITE riot units have been deployed in Sorong, West Papua, as riots broke out on the streets when four freedom fighters were prosecuted by
West Papuan journalists call for Pacific solidarity
IN exile but unbroken, three West Papuan journalists are in Fiji calling on the Pacific to stand with them against Indonesia’s ongoing media blackout and human rights
No Indon flag – Wenda
WEST Papuan pro-independence advocate Benny Wenda has called for a boycott on Indonesia’s Independence Day
Time for Change at MSG
The change in chairmanship of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) allows for new initiatives in this sub-regional bloc. But do the Melanesian leaders have the courage to address the huge elephants which exist in the
Indonesia bombs West Papuan villages again – Civilians flee to the bush
In a renewed wave of airstrikes, Indonesia has bombed several villages in Ilaga, Puncak Regency, West Papua—displacing entire communities and reigniting memories of past
We Say: When issues find voice
As an oral people, Pacific islanders often put their thoughts into words and later into song or chants. These cries from the soul speak to the issues which trouble indigenous people – colonisation, suppression of
Papuans worry about new plan to revive transmigration
Transmigration is the process of moving people from densely populated regions to less densely populated ones in
Indonesia criticises Vanuatu’s support for West Papua, Vanuatu stands firm
Indonesia has expressed concerns over Vanuatu's public support for West Papua's independence movement and its diplomatic
Solomons maintain ‘balanced stance’ on West Papua issue, ahead of PM’s Indonesia trip
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has reaffirmed Solomon Islands’ measured approach to the West Papua issue, stating that his GNUT administration respects Indonesia's
New Zealand pilot freed after 19 months in Papua rebel captivity
A New Zealand pilot held hostage for 19 months by separatist rebels in Indonesia’s Papua region was freed on Saturday, Indonesian authorities said, bringing an end to a standoff that had drawn international
Indonesian forces retrieve New Zealand pilot’s body in Papua
The body of a New Zealand helicopter pilot shot dead by rebels in eastern Indonesia’s restive Papua region has been retrieved, the joint task force of police and soldiers leading the search said on Monday. Glen
ULMWP condemns killing of NZ pilot, blames Indonesia for danger
The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has condemned the reported killing of New Zealand helicopter pilot Glen Malcolm Conning in Alama, Mimika Regency “If true, I condemn this killing in the
West Papuans still inspired by the heritage of Arnold Ap
In 1969, Indonesia annexed the western half of the island of New Guinea, through the so-called Act of Free Choice. As Indonesian authorities began to expand legal systems and education in Bahasa Indonesia, a generation
Opinion: Question for PNG foreign minister Tkatchenko – what does the defence pact mean for West Papua?
Papua New Guinea and Indonesia have formally ratified a defence agreement a decade after its initial signing. PNG’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko and the Indonesian ambassador to the Pacific nation,
“We are facing Goliath” – West Papuan church leaders call for solidarity
“We are facing Goliath, or even the Pharaoh,” says West Papua church leader Rode Wanimbo, “but we still have to speak out strong.” Wanimbo is coordinator of the Women’s Department of the Evangelical Christian
Pacific Conference of Churches begins Assembly in Noumea
A fortnight after the Pacific Islands Forum brought political leaders to Rarotonga, Cook Islands, church leaders from across the region are gathering in New Caledonia, to attend the 12th General Assembly of the Pacific
