12 Jun 2008

Call for Australian PM to raise Papua question with Jakarta

1:58 pm on 12 June 2008

The Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, has been asked to raise the issue of West Papua with the Indonesian Government, just as he brought up concerns about Tibet with the Chinese Government.

Mr Rudd is visiting Indonesia from today.

The Australia West Papua Association has called on Mr Rudd to raise the issue of human rights in West Papua with the Indonesian President.

Joe Collins of the AWPA says if Australia cannot raise such issues with Jakarta because it fears the relationship will be damaged, then Australia has no relationship.