21 Sep 2016

Solomons urges Indonesia to allow Papua scrutiny

3:05 pm on 21 September 2016

Solomon Islands has again called on Indonesia to cooperate with the United Nations Human Rights Council to allow a UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression to visit its Papua region.

A march through the streets of Honiara in support of West Papua's bid to join the MSG.

A march through the streets of Honiara in support of West Papua's bid to join the MSG. Photo: Supplied

The call was made by a Solomons official Barrett Salato at the Human Rights Council Meeting in Geneva.

Mr Salato said there was a worrying trend by member states resisting human rights scrutiny by the Council.

A march through the streets of Honiara in support of West Papua's bid for MSG membership

A march through the streets of Honiara in support of West Papua's bid for MSG membership Photo: Supplied

He said some large democracies professed to uphold universal human rights values but evaded scrutiny of their domestic practices by claiming non-interference in their sovereign affairs.

Mr Salato said Solomon Islands had consistently raised its concerns about human rights violations in West Papua and called for independent investigations of the reports.

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