PM CALLS FOR MORE ACTION INTO HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN WEST PAPUA

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has called on the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council to do more in investigating and monitoring allegations of human rights abuse and violence in Papua and West Papua regions of Indonesia.

Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare makes the call in New York while addressing the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly this morning.

He says all states have a legal duty and moral responsibility to uphold and promote human rights against abuses or violations
accordance with the UN Charter.

“All states have a legal duty and morale responsibility to uphold, respects and promote human rights and when necessary, take preventive, protective and punitive measures against human rights abuses or violations in accordance with the United Nations Charter and applicable international laws, against the foregoing backdrop.”

Against the foregoing backdrop, Mr Sogavare says the General Assembly is well aware of the continuing concerns of human rights violations in the Papua and West Papua regions of Indonesia.

He adds Solomon Islands wants this issue attended to in a timely manner.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Sogavare says Solomon Islands together with the Pacific Islands Forum are seeking genuine dialogue and cooperation with Indonesia to resolve and dissolve the reported allegations of human rights violations.

“The General Assembly is well aware on the continuing concerns of human rights violations in the Papua and West Papuan regions of Indonesia. Solomon Islands together with the Pacific Islands Forum are seeking genuine dialogue and cooperation with Indonesia. The outreach is to resolve and dissolve reported allegations of human rights violations occurring on the two of Indonesia’s ethnic Melanesian regions namely Papua and West Papua.”

He adds, the United Nations cannot shy away from the root causes of these violations.