16 Mar 2016

Solomons concerned about abuses in West Papua

2:36 pm on 16 March 2016

Solomon Islands has raised concern about human rights violations in the Indonesian Province of West Papua at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Its diplomat in Geneva, Barrett Salato, has told the Council that human rights violations need urgent attention by the world community.

Mr Salato said Solomon Islands remains concerned by arbitrary arrests, summary executions, tortures, ill treatments and limitations of freedom of expression committed by Indonesian security forces.

A meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

A meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Photo: AFP

He encouraged Indonesia to establish a dialogue with West Papuan representatives and to cooperate with the Council by allowing UN special procedures planning to visit Indonesia.

Mr Salato highlighted the request made by the Pacific Island Forum to allow for a human rights fact-finding mission to be sent to West Papua.

He said access to education and health services for the Papuans has deteriorated, adding to a decline of the indigenous West Papuan population.