Tonga’s PM attended International Parliamentarians meeting for West Papua at Westminister ^Featured

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and have a common understanding that (1) the continued human rights violations in West Papua are unacceptable, (2) everyone has a right to genuine self-determination, including the West Papuan people, and (3) this can be achieved peacefully through an internationally supervised vote on self-determination in accordance with the UN General Assembly Resolutions 1514 and 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960.

The Hon. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva was invited by the Secretary-General of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, Mr. Octovanius Mote, and the International Spokesperson of the Movement, Mr. Benny Wenda, to join in the announcement of the ‘Friends of West Papua’ Group launch and to deliver a statement at the meeting of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua at the session entitled ‘The Political Future of the West Papuan People.’

The common focus of the United Liberation Movement, the Free West Papua Campaign, the International Parliamentarians for West Papua and the newly established Friends of West Papua Group is to address the issue of human rights in West Papua at every level.

In statement, the Hon. Prime Minister spoke of the United Nation’s new Sustainable Development Goals for the year 2030 and its objectives of good governance, effective accountability and inclusive institutions. He reiterated that these objectives are impossible to achieve without the full support for the human rights of all people living in areas of conflict throughout the world and in the peaceful Pacific region. The Hon. Prime Minister stressed that conflict must be resolved by peaceful means and, while recognizing the sovereignty of states, he re-emphasized the need for the protection of human rights of all persons.

The Hon. Prime Minister encouraged Governments and Leaders to work together against injustice and cruel violation of human rights and dignity by supporting all efforts that are being made to ensure that the United Nations is ‘fit for purpose’ to implement the 2030 Agenda. He also called for the solidarity and support of the Wider Pacific community and regional organizations to give attention to West Papua.

While the Hon. Prime Minister was in transit in Australia on his way to London, he was greeted by the Tonga High Commissioner to Australia, HRH Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho.

Following the conclusion of the Hon. Prime Minister’s meeting in London on 3rd May 2016, he travelled to Geneva, Switzerland to attend the International Telecommunication Union’s World Summit on the Information Society Forum which runs from 4th – 6th May, 2016. 

PMO