Regional diplomats visit West Papua

WEST PAPUA – New Zealand’s government has confirmed its ambassador to Indonesia, Dr Trevor Matheson, visited Jayapura and Merauke in West Papua last week. The visit took place at the invitation of Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Luhut Panjaitan.

Ambassadors from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Fiji also took part in the visit. New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the visit provided Ambassador Matheson the opportunity to observe Jakarta’s approach to addressing human rights and development challenges in Papua.

It also gave him the chance to discuss human rights concerns in Papua with Indonesia’s government. New Zealand’s government says it follows developments in Papua closely, and welcomes the opportunity to engage with all stakeholders on Papua-related issues including central and local government actors, civil society and independence advocates. The New Zealand Government recognises the territorial integrity of the Republic of Indonesia, including Papua, and welcomes the Indonesian Government’s commitment to the peaceful development of Papua.

- RNZI