8 Dec 2011

Australia's Labor Party calls on Indonesia to allow access to Papua

7:11 am on 8 December 2011

At its national conference Australia's ruling Labor Party has passed a number of resolutions relating to Indonesia's troubled Papua region.

Included among them is a call for Indonesia to allow access to Papua for media and human rights organisations.

The Labor Party has expressed deep concern over the long-running unsettled situation in Papua and continuing violations of human rights, including freedom of expression and association.

It's called for independent observers to go to Papua to report on progress on a dialogue process after Indonesia's President last month declared his government's willingness to conduct dialogue with Papuan Leaders.

The party wants those responsible for rights abuses, and for the killings and violence during the recent Papuan People's Congress to be tried.

It's also called for those arrested following the Congress and others already in detention following the peaceful expression of their political views to be immediately release.