The Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly
Human Rights Council:
Benny and Head of the EU mission, Oridek Ap, travelled to Geneva to attend the Human Rights Council as part of the Vanuatu delegation. The Vanuatu delegation initially raised the issue of West Papua in relation to the right of indigenous peoples. They then went on to address patterns of intimidation and attacks in West Papua, and the impunity of perpetrators. They moved on to raise the issue of enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention following the mass arrests that surrounded the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) earlier in the month.
The mission of Vanuatu in Geneva organised an informal lunch briefing on 13th September 2018. The purpose of the lunch was to continue to raise awareness on the human rights situation in West Papua. The briefing bought together a total of 39 participants including many ambassadors, mission representatives, and West Papuan representatives. Testimonies were shared during the lunch briefing including a short legal analysis on the taking over of West Papua by international lawyer on West Papua and daughter of a West Papuan freedom fighter, Ms. Fadjar Korwa.
The ULMWP is dedicated to building on the networks and relationships built at the Human Rights Council. One of their priorities in the near future is to ensure the ULMWP has central representation in the EU.
UNGA:
History was once again made at the United Nations General Assembly last week, as the voice of the West Papuan people was amplified for the ears of the world to hear. Demonstrating enduring Pacific solidarity, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and the Republic of Vanuatu all spoke out in support of West Papua and the need for our cause to be returned to the United Nations. The Solomon Islands also voiced its concerns over human rights abuses and violations.
All nations, whether large or small, use the UNGA to address their most urgent needs and pressing issues. Therefore, the fact that Pacific nations prioritised West Papua in their UNGA addresses is a direct result of the growing, regional public outcry for West Papua, and testimony to our rising profile and solidarity from around the region. As the sixth consecutive year of support for West Papua at the UN General Assembly; the uprising of international support, diplomatic pressure, and mass public solidarity for West Papua continues to have impact and warrant a response.