PACIFIC NATIONS DUTY-BOUND TO HELP WEST PAPUA: SOGAVARE

                                                                          Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. Photo credit: PM Press Secretariat.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has said Pacific Islands nations have a duty as closest neighbours to West Papua to address issues of concern to West Papua.

He said this is crucial due to the fact that West Papua’s right to self-determination – a fundamental principle of the United Nations Charter – has been denied for the last 50 years.

Mr. Sogavare said this is equivalent to the rights to life and dignity being denied as a result of their pursuit of self-determination.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sogavare who is also Chair of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) re-emphasizes, the intention of the Pacific Coalition on West Papua (PCWP) is perfectly in line with the principles of human rights and democracy, the very basis of the UN Charter, which all UN Member states should adhere to and protect.

Prime Minister Sogavare added that only by working together and strategically dealing with the issue of West Papua, PCWP can accomplish the objective of its mission.