19 Jul 2010

NGO calls for Forum leaders to press Indonesia over Papua

8:10 pm on 19 July 2010

The Australia West Papua Association has written to the leaders of Pacific Islands Forum countries, asking that they put the issue of human rights in the Indonesian region of Papua on the agenda for their summit next month.

The NGO says Papua has to be treated as a regional issue of concern.

It says the Forum should send a fact finding mission to the region.

It also says the Forum can play an important role in helping facilitate dialogue between the Papuan leadership and the Indonesian Government.