In response to a West Papua national consensus, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a legislative statement, during the second week of June, calling for reports on the Indonesian government’s involvement in the province. Full legislation is going to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
The U.S. State Department is now required to form a report on the 1969 Act of Free Choice developed in Indonesia, as well as the extent to which the Indonesian government has involved West Papuans in national leadership. A second report will need to describe how the government has halted human rights violations in the province.
“This bill demonstrates that the House of Representatives takes Papual concerns seriously and Jakarta should also,” said West Papua Advocacy Team (WPAT) member Ed McWilliams.
The West Papuan National Consensus noted, “The Indonesian government policy toward West Papua has been, and continues to be, a failure.” It appealed to the International Community’s recognition of the political strife that is occurring in the nation.
“[Papuans] want an internationally facilitated dialogue with Jakarta, [Indonesia] to address vital issues, including demilitarization, an end to intimidation, and the right to self-determination,” McWilliams said. ♦
