WEST PAPUA: Government and Opposition parties have joined forces in calling for the United Nations to review its role in the disputed take-over of West Papua by Indonesia more than 30 years ago.
Some 88 TDs, representing all political parties in the Dáil, have signed a letter to the UN Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, criticising the international body for overseeing a "sham" election in 1969.
The politicians said the so-called "Act of Free Choice", in which 1,022 Papuans - hand-picked by the Indonesian government - voted for integration rather than independence, "remains a source of unrest in the territory to this day, as underscored by ongoing human rights abuses and the estimated deaths of 100,000 people since the take-over".
The Irish initiative was welcomed by leading West Papuan activist Mr John Rumbiak who, on a visit to Dublin yesterday, said: "Irish politicians can be proud that they are taking a lead in Europe on this issue, and we hope this will act as a catalyst to mobilise support internationally for the neglected cause of the West Papuan people."
Mr Mark Doris, co-ordinator of West Papua Action, said it hoped the Government would endorse the cross-party initiative, and help to end West Papua's isolation.
