West Papua and its struggle or case for self determination reached the floor again. Today.
In 2019, Opposition Leader Belden Namah asked the Prime Minister James Marape to confirm if PNG had a foreign policy on West Papua.
Today, NCD Governor Powes Parkop asked 4 questions to the Foreign Minister Seroe Eoe, on West Papua.
Among them was for the Minister to confirm PNG’s position on West Papua as a member of the MSG regional sub political group.
In addition, Governor Parkop wanted the Foreign Minister to inform the House on the status of resolution reached by the 79 ACP countries on the re – enlisting of West Papua on the UN Committee of 24 list of Non – Self Governing UN Trust Territory as defined by the ACP countries, including Papua New Guinea.
In 2019, the ACP countries leaders met in Nairobi, Kenya. PNG was represented by Foreign Minister then Patrick Pruaitch. He signed the resolution on West Papua.
Governor Parkop also asked if the United Liberation Movement For West Papua or ULMWP which has united the pro – independence lobby Inside West Papua and in the diaspora will be recognised officially by the government, and funded to perform its functions as an MSG observer.
Minister Seroe Eoe asked Governor Parkop to request him in writing to respond to the questions.
He said the matter raised by the NCD Governor on West Papua deserves serious attention.
And, he will sponsor a Cabinet submission for its consideration especially on the way forward for ULMWP.
The Minister told Parliament post – MSG and PIF resolution on West Papua is a sensitive matter, and only Cabinet can decide what to do in the national interest.
West Papua is one of the longest independence movements in international politics.
For sixty years, today, 1 December 2021, the original Melanesian community of West Papua has campaigned for independence from Indonesia.
Since 1975, PNG has conducted its international relations with other countries including Indonesia.
It has put less focus on West Papua and its status as a colonial territorial conflict, and independence movement.
For decades since 1960s, Indonesia placed West Papua under its sovereignty.
And, finally the Dutch gave up.
In 1962, the New York Agreement saw the formation of the Temporary UN administration (untean) over West New Guinea, or West Irian as also known, before being forwarded to Indonesia.
As part of this agreement, a referendum was intended to be held in 1969 to decide whether West Papua will remain part of Indonesia or independence.
However, the vote finally – called the free choice action – very flawed.
Nonetheless, the results were supported by the UN General Assembly. Since then, and with a background of serious human rights violations, the West Papuan independence movement has campaigned for another referendum.
Although most of the world still considers the region as part of Indonesia, it seems that the support has the potential to grow.
PNG must step up on West Papua.