Greens’ spokesperson for West Papua, Senator Richard Di Natale, has called for urgent action in response to reports of conflict, deaths and displacement in the Paniai region of West Papua.
“Australia can no longer stand silent while West Papua burns,” said Senator Di Natale.
“There are reports of villages being raided and razed by Indonesian forces, which may have been trained and armed by Australia.
Senator Richard Di Natale, Greens spokesperson for West Papua, has expressed his concern at reports of the razing of villages and forced evacuations in the Paniai region of West Papua yesterday during a campaign by Indonesian security forces against local members of the Free Papua National Liberation Army.
Greens spokesperson for West Papua, Senator Richard Di Natale, has called on the Australian government to show leadership on the issue of West Papua by calling for restraint from the Indonesian military and police today.
“Today is a very important day for the West Papuan people. It marks the 50th anniversary of the first raising of the Morning Star flag and is celebrated as an unofficial day of Papuan independence,” said Senator Di Natale.
On Thursday 24 November, Senator Di Natale moved the following motion in the Senate. This excerpt is taken from page 30 of the Hansard (PDF link), and includes short statements from Senator Ludwig and Senator Di Natale.
Senator Richard Di Natale this week put a question to the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, Joe Ludwig, regarding the Australian government's support for the Indonesian military, in light of recent events in West Papua.
Senator Di Natale also moved a motion in the Senate to condemn the violent crackdown at the recent Papuan People's Congress, to recognise the rights of West Papuans to freely assemble, and to call for the humane treatment and timely release of those arrested.
