The West Papua National Coalition for Liberation says Indonesian security forces continue to inflict human rights abuses and violations on West Papuans while the international community does little about it.
The Coalition has lodged a formal application for membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group, saying membership will help galvanise international focus on ongoing abuses against the indigenous people of Indonesia's Papua region.
A decision on the application was expected at the 19th MSG Leaders Summit underway in New Caledonia, but MSG Foreign Ministers have indicated the decision could be deferred.
The coalition's Paula Makabori says that in terms of the decision, time is of the essence for West Papuans.
"The civilians of West Papua, who are the Melanesian people, they face the death threats and summary executions and disappearance - and women get raped. It's just increasing."
Paula Makabori.
MSG Leaders are tucked away in their retreat today, and are expected to make a statement on the Coalition's application tomorrow.
