148 ANGGOTA ILWP & ILWP DESAK MSG TINGKATKAN STATUS ULMWP

Summary

The International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) advocates for the self-determination of West Papua, highlighting ongoing human rights violations. With 148 parliamentarians and politicians worldwide supporting the cause, IPWP calls on the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) to upgrade the United Liberation Movement for West Papua's (ULMWP) membership at their 2025 summit. The group stresses the urgency of addressing the dire human rights situation, including displacement, killings, and environmental destruction. The call for ULMWP's membership elevation is seen as a critical step toward a peaceful resolution of the West Papua conflict that has lasted over six decades.

Takeaways

• 😀 The International Parliamentarians For West Papua (IPWP) urges the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) to upgrade the membership status of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP).
• 😀 The MSG leaders summit will take place in Suva, Fiji, from June 18–23, 2025, with a meeting for Foreign Ministers on June 20 and the MSG leaders meeting on June 23.
• 😀 IPWP was officially launched in 2008 in the British parliament, and it has since expanded with regional launches in various parliaments worldwide, advocating for West Papuans' right to self-determination.
• 😀 The IPWP's declaration calls for the establishment of a mechanism that allows the people of West Papua to freely exercise their right to self-determination, which was violated in the 1969 Pepera referendum.
• 😀 The declaration has been signed by 148 global figures, including parliamentarians and officials from Europe, Oceania, the Americas, and the Pacific, all supporting West Papuans' right to self-determination.
• 😀 The ULMWP is currently an observer member of the MSG, and the IPWP urges its status to be upgraded to allow better representation and advocacy for West Papua.
• 😀 Human rights violations in West Papua, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and killings, are ongoing, with over 97,000 West Papuans displaced due to Indonesian military operations.
• 😀 Indonesia’s continued refusal to allow a UN human rights mission to West Papua, despite promises made at the 2023 MSG leaders’ summit, is a violation of international obligations.
• 😀 There is significant concern about the Merauke rice and sugar cane project, which is expected to clear 3 million hectares of West Papua’s forests, wetlands, and savannahs, contributing to deforestation on an unprecedented scale.
• 😀 The upgrade of ULMWP's membership in the MSG is seen as a critical step towards resolving the ongoing West Papua conflict and providing a platform for the Papuan people to express their desire for self-determination.

Q & A

What is the International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP)?

The International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) is a global cross-parliamentary solidarity movement that supports the right to self-determination for the indigenous people of West Papua. It was officially launched in October 2008 in the British Parliament and has since expanded its presence in various parliaments around the world.

What is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), and what is its current status in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)?

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) is a political organization advocating for West Papua's self-determination. It currently holds observer status in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), having been invited by the MSG General Secretariat.

What is the purpose of the upcoming MSG summit in 2025, and when will it take place?

The upcoming MSG summit in 2025 is set to take place from June 18 to June 23, 2025, in Suva, Fiji. The summit includes meetings of senior officials, foreign ministers, and MSG leaders, where ULMWP is expected to be present as an observer.

What are the key demands made by the International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) regarding ULMWP's membership in the MSG?

The IPWP calls for the upgrading of ULMWP’s membership status in the MSG at the upcoming leaders' summit, emphasizing that it is within MSG’s competence to do so. They argue that such an upgrade would support the principles of peace, good governance, and human rights in the region.

What human rights issues are currently occurring in West Papua, as highlighted by the IPWP and ULMWP supporters?

The IPWP highlights ongoing severe human rights violations in West Papua, including arbitrary arrests, torture, killings, and widespread displacement of over 97,000 people due to Indonesian military operations. Additionally, they raise concerns about large-scale deforestation in the region, such as the Merauke rice and sugar cane project.

Why is the ULMWP's membership status in the MSG important for resolving the West Papua conflict?

Upgrading ULMWP's membership in the MSG is seen as a key step towards addressing the long-standing West Papua conflict. By elevating ULMWP's status, the MSG could provide a platform for the Papuan people to voice their desire for self-determination, which is crucial for achieving lasting peace.

Which countries and politicians are supporting the West Papua cause and the ULMWP's membership in the MSG?

Support for the West Papua cause comes from a broad range of politicians and figures worldwide, including those from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Spain, and other regions. Notable supporters include Benny Wenda, Alex Sobel, Lord Harries of Pentregard, and various MPs from the Green Party, among others.

What is the significance of the Brussels Declaration 2024 mentioned in the script?

The Brussels Declaration 2024 criticized Indonesia's failure to fulfill its international obligations, particularly regarding the facilitation of a UN human rights mission to West Papua. This highlights the growing concern about Indonesia's actions and its refusal to allow international oversight in the region.

How does the IPWP view Indonesia’s actions in West Papua regarding deforestation and environmental destruction?

The IPWP condemns the environmental destruction occurring in West Papua, particularly the large-scale Merauke rice and sugar cane project, which they describe as the largest deforestation project ever launched. This project is expected to clear 3 million hectares of land, further harming the region's unique landscape.

What is the broader goal of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua in supporting the ULMWP?

The broader goal of IPWP is to build a global solidarity network that pressures the international community to support a peaceful resolution for West Papua's fate. By advocating for ULMWP's elevated status in the MSG and pushing for self-determination, IPWP seeks to ensure the West Papuan people have a fair chance to determine their future.