Greens slate Key for silence over West Papua

DANYA LEVY

Last updated 15:26 14/04/2012

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The Greens say it's "absolutely disgraceful'' Prime Minister John Key will not raise human rights abuse concerns in West Papua when he meets Indonesian leaders in Jakarta this week.

Key and a 26-strong business delegation arrive in the capital Jakarta tomorrow on a mission aimed at boosting trade with the emerging Asian economic superpower.

During his three days in Jakarta, Key will meet with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Vice-president Boediono, address a business seminar and attend an official state dinner.

Efforts to make West Papua independent are a contentious issue for Indonesia, which sees the province as a touchstone of its territorial integrity.

New Zealand's official policy is to endorse Indonesia's view.  It is understood the issue is often raised by the Indonesians, who seek reassurance New Zealand has not changed its stance. If asked, Key is expected to reassert the Government's position, and is not expected to raise human rights.

Greens MP Catherine Delahunty said Key should have the "ethical courage'' to discuss the issue. "Indonesia has made considerable progress in terms of democratisation in recent years, particularly in Ache, and post East Timor there have been improvements in human rights in other regions.''

But she said  West Papua was a "dirty little secret'', and that was a disgrace because it was a near neighbour to Australia and New Zealand.

The province has been locked down and is inaccessible to international journalists, and the Red Cross had been expelled.

Delahunty said she had presented Parliament with photographic evidence of torture in the province.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch were concerned about the jailing of five freedom activists, known as the Jayapura Five, on treason charges.

"We have a Government that should be taking the opportunity to show leadership. We've shown leadership before, Bougainville would be a good example, and we would hope the Key Government would take the opportunity to say we would be happy to broker a peace deal between West Papuan leaders and Indonesia.''

It was "absolutely disgraceful'' Key would avoid the issue, she said.

Foreign Affairs and Trade said it closely monitored developments through its Jakarta embassy and had "open and constructive conversations'' about it.

A spokesperson said human rights issues had been discussed by the New Zealand ambassador and Indonesian ministers, and by Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and his Indonesian counterpart as recently as 2010 between

After concerns about a video showing torture of two Papuan men by Indonesian military personnel, Mr McCully released a statement welcoming an inquiry into the images.

Greeting Peace!!

Santon