17 Jul 2014

West Papuans want international help

7:34 pm on 17 July 2014

The organisation called the Federal Republic of West Papua says it supports new moves to form a united West Papuan application for membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

This comes as a statement from the imprisoned President of the organisation identifying itself as the government of the Federal Republic has extended an offer to Jakarta for negotiation over the future of Papua region.

Forkorus Yaboisembut and other members of his administration have been in jail since the Third Papuan People's Congress in October 2011 when they were elected.

A spokesman for the administration, Jack Wanggai, says Mr Yaboisembut is expected to be released soon.

He says the administration wants the international community to help address ongoing abuses by Indonesian security forces in its region.

"South Pacific (Forum) or Melanesian Spearhead Group must make, facilitate the peace dialogue to finish the problem in West Papua."

Jack Wanggai