20 Apr 2016

Papua rights among concerns around Jokowi's UK stay

7:46 pm on 20 April 2016
Indonesia President Joko Widodo

Indonesia President Joko Widodo Photo: supplied

The British prime minister David Cameron has been urged to challenge Indonesian President Joko Widodo over his country's human rights record, including West Papua.

The call from Amnesty International comes as President Widodo visits the United Kingdom this week as part of his European tour.

Referring to concerns around Indonesia's performance on such matters as executions and Shari'a law, Amnesty says Indonesia's record in human rights is an obstacle to any trade deal that Jakarta seeks to forge with the UK.

An Indonesia Researcher at Amnesty International, Papang Hidayat said the NGO's was concerned about the country's prisoners of conscience, including 27 in Papua.

He mentioned a Papuan political activist, Steven Itlay who was this month charged with having committed "rebellion" and faces life imprisonment.

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