Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) has urged Indonesia to turn its words into concrete action over a proposed visit by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to West Papua, calling for a clear timetable, genuine access and meaningful engagement.

The call comes after Melanesian countries last week urged Jakarta to facilitate the long-awaited visit or reconsider Indonesia's status as an associate member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), RNZ Pacific reported on Tuesday.

The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) countries first requested the visit in 2019.

However, it has yet to take place, despite ongoing armed conflict and allegations of human rights violations in the Indonesian-controlled Papua region, internationally known as West Papua.

Frustration has grown among Melanesian countries in recent years, particularly over Indonesia's failure to allow the visit to proceed.

Responding to the MSG's statement last week, the Indonesian Government told RNZ Pacific that the visit was progressing as planned but did not provide further details.

"We have always had constructive discussions on issues considered important by other MSG members, and we can also confirm that the proposed visit is on the right track," an Indonesian spokesperson said.

KNPB international spokesperson Victor Yeimo said that, for Papuans, Indonesia's statement that the visit was progressing as planned must now be translated into concrete and verifiable action.

"If this visit is truly on track, we respectfully ask: What is the timetable? What practical arrangements are being made? And when will the High Commissioner be able to visit West Papua and engage directly with the Papuan people?" Mr Yeimo said.

"The question is whether the UN's top human rights official will now be given meaningful and independent access to assess the broader human rights situation."

Mr Yeimo said that during a visit to Papua, the High Commissioner should be allowed to freely engage with Indigenous communities, victims of human rights violations, displaced people, civil society groups, churches, human rights defenders and other affected communities.

"Such engagement must take place without intimidation, surveillance or reprisals, and without restrictions on whom people may speak to or what concerns they may raise," he said.

Mr Yeimo said Papuans were not asking the international community to simply accept their narrative, nor were they asking it to simply accept Jakarta's version of events.

"We are asking the United Nations to come, listen directly and assess the situation for itself. That is the purpose of an independent human rights assessment," he said.

Source: https://en.jubi.id/jakarta-urged-to-follow-through-on-un-human-rights-chiefs-visit-to-west-papua