The PNG Greens Party has strongly condemned the continuing and long-standing human rights violations against the indigenous Melanesian people of West Papua.
The party believes the current situation in West Papua is nothing short of a “human rights ambush” where innocent indigenous communities are trapped between militarization, political repression and international silence.
General Secretary Andrew Kutapae released a media statement yesterday, which said:
“For more than six decades, the people of West Papua have lived under fear, intimidation and violence. Reports of extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests, forced displacement, restrictions on freedom of expression of cultural and political identity have continued for far too long. These are not isolated incidents. They represent a systematic and sustained pattern of abuse.
“West Papuans are our Melanesian brothers and sisters across the border. We share history, culture, identity and ancestry. Their pain is not distance to us. It is deeply connected to who we are as a people of Papua New Guinea and as part of the wider Melanesian family.
“We are particularly troubled by the continued suffering of women, children and community leaders who face intimidation and violence simply for expressing their identity and aspirations. Many families are displaced within their own land, and others are forced to flee across borders in search of safety and dignity.
“We question the deep disappointment:
“Why has the government of Papua New Guinea remained largely silent for so long?
“Why has the government Australia, a strong advocate for democracy and human rights globally, failed to speak with the same courage and consistency for the people of West Papua?
“Our two governments have a moral responsibility to act:
1. Publicly acknowledged and raise concerns about human rights violations in West Papua through diplomatic and regional forums.
2. Advocate for an independent international human rights investigation into allegations of abuses in the territory.
3. Strengthen humanitarian and protection mechanisms for West Papuan refugees and asylum seekers in Papua New Guinea, ensuring that they are treated with dignity, security and compassion.
4. Work closely with Melanesian partners and the Pacific family to pursue peaceful, transparent and dialogue-based solutions
“We also call on the government of Australia to move beyond quiet diplomacy and to demonstrate principled leadership by supporting international monitoring and accountability mechanisms for West Papua.
“The silence of powerful neighbors does not protect stability. It only deepens injustice.
“True regional security and peace can never be built on the suffering of indigenous peoples. The continual denial of basic human rights to the people of West Papua undermines the values of democracy, self-determination and human dignity that our region claims to uphold.
“As a political party committed to justice, peace and human rights, the PNG Greens Party stands firmly with the people of West Papua. We believe that lasting peace can only come through genuine dialogue, respect for human rights, and the recognition of the dignity and voices of the indigenous Melanesian people of West Papua.
“History will judge our region not by our statements of friendship, but by our courage to defend the oppressed when it truly mattered.
“The people of West Papua much not continue to suffer in silence.”