Pacific civil society organizations are urging Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders to take decisive action to address the escalating humanitarian and human rights crisis in West Papua. As the annual PIF leaders’ meeting in September approaches, civil society groups are voicing their concerns over the unfulfilled commitments by Forum leaders that have left over 100,000 people displaced in West Papua.
In an open letter, these organizations emphasized the urgent need for action, warning that the crisis affects the entire Pacific region. They highlighted the roles of women, children, and the elderly among those most affected by growing violence and intimidation, criticizing Forum leaders for their slow response despite acknowledging the crisis in past communiqués.
The groups have outlined three key actions for Forum leaders: ensure independent scrutiny through a fact-finding mission by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and PIF, support a humanitarian response for displaced communities, and advocate for a ceasefire while respecting international humanitarian laws.
Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka emphasized the principle of self-determination, not only for West Papua but also for broader Pacific struggles, by referencing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Rabuka connected the plight of West Papua to other regional self-determination movements, demonstrating the broader ramifications of the issue.
The call for action follows a similar spirit seen in past civil society advocacies concerning critical regional issues, such as climate change and the preservation of civil spaces. Past Forum meetings have criticized limiting civic engagement and highlighted the need for robust national and regional collaboration.
Civil society organizations have consistently supported rights to self-determination throughout the Pacific, including in West Papua. They insist that now is the moment for the PIF to exhibit unity and decisive leadership to show solidarity with West Papuans and prompt Indonesia to permit unrestricted access for international human rights observers.
Overall, the continued emphasis on humanitarian and human rights issues in West Papua highlights an ongoing need for an international and regional focus on addressing such crises, asserting that prompt action could catalyze a significant shift in the current conditions in West Papua.
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