Open letter to MSG leaders by Australia West Papua Association

Dear MSG leaders,

The Australia West Papua Association (Sydney), is writing to you concerning the issue of West Papua. The human rights situation in West Papua has continued to deteriorate since the last Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) summit with ongoing human rights abuses occurring in the territory. We understand that you are aware of the issues of concern in West Papua but we would like to bring your attention to a number of recent reports that raise grave concerns about the human rights situation in West Papua. MORE RESOURCES

In Amnesty’s International Report for 2010, it states in relation to Papua “Violence increased sharply around the time of parliamentary and presidential elections, creating a climate of fear and intimidation. There were reports that security forces used unnecessary or excessive force during demonstrations and tortured and ill treated people during arrest, questioning and detention. Security forces also reportedly committed unlawful killings. Severe restrictions were imposed on the right to peaceful assembly and expression”.

Amnesty’s report also points out that “At least 114 people were detained for peacefully expressing their views. The overwhelming majority were peaceful political activists who were sentenced to terms of imprisonment for raising prohibited pro independence flags in Maluku or Papua”.