West Papua

Richard is the Greens spokesperson for the West Papua portfolio.

Australia must act after more conflict in West Papua: Greens

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.

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Posted on Friday, December 16, 2011 - 13:15

Reports of villages razed, homes torched in West Papua

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.

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Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 - 13:13

Australian government must show leadership on West Papua: Greens

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.

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Posted on Thursday, December 1, 2011 - 06:27

West Papua - Motion to note 1st December as 50th anniversary of the raising of the Morning Star flag

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 DI NATALE (Victoria) (12:09): I move:

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Posted on Friday, November 25, 2011 - 14:04

West Papua - Question and Motion to the Senate

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.

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Posted on Thursday, November 3, 2011 - 10:41

Richard on Lateline - West Papua

Richard appeared on Lateline on Thursday 27 October, discussing the Greens' views on the recent violence in West Papua.

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Posted on Friday, October 28, 2011 - 16:02

Serious fears for West Papua detainees

The situation in West Papua remains serious and the news reports have some grim news. The number of confirmed deaths is slowly rising - from two, to four and now six - and I have received distressing news about severe injuries sustained by others.

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Posted on Friday, October 21, 2011 - 16:36

Suspend military ties with Indonesia: Greens

Australian Greens Senator and spokesperson on West Papua, Richard Di Natale, is calling on the Australian government to suspend military cooperation with Indonesia.

Last night the Indonesian military (TNI) opened fire on the third West Papuan People’s Congress, arrested community leaders and hundreds more. There are reports from a single witness of nine delegates shot while trying to flee.

“This is the latest in a series of escalating acts of repression by the Indonesian military in West Papua,” said Senator Di Natale.

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Posted on Thursday, October 20, 2011 - 13:42

The world is watching Papua: Greens

The Australian Greens today urged the Indonesian authorities to show restraint at the 3rd Papuan National Congress in Jayapura, and warned them that the world is watching what occurs.

"The Congress is a peaceful event, and the Papuan people have a right to assemble and discuss their future," said Greens West Papua spokesperson, Senator Richard Di Natale, from the Australian Parliament today. "To meet without threat of violence is a fundamental human right that all citizens enjoy."

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Posted on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 - 14:27

Greens call for release of West Papuans in custody

Greens’ spokesperson for West Papua, Richard Di Natale, has expressed concern over the arrests of West Papuan activists and is calling for their immediate release.

“The Greens are concerned for West Papuan human rights defenders, Henok Dori, Noak Kandipi and Melkianus Bleskadit, who were all arrested on their way to a conference last week, and are still in custody in Jayapura and Manokwari,” said Senator Di Natale.

“We understand that some of their colleagues have been released and we call for these West Papuans to be released.”

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Posted on Thursday, October 13, 2011 - 14:06