By PM Press – July 15, 2016
MSG Chair, Prime Minister Sogavare greeted by leaders of the ULMWP for his staunch support on the issue of West Papua at the 20th MSG Leaders’ Summit in Honiara.
Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Kanak National Socialist Liberation Front (FLNKS) and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) remain resolute in their support of the aspirations for the Self-Determination of the People of West Papua and the full membership of ULMWP to the Melanesian Spearhead Group.
The above MSG members are committed to advocating for West Papua and strongly adhere to the principles that are at the core of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, which is the ‘Political aspirations of self- determination of our Melanesian people.’
There is recognition that such a commitment will require bold and ethical leadership and a clear understanding of our Melanesian values.
The above members of MSG continue to condemn human rights abuses of the indigenous people of West Papua and will register our concerns at the United Nations Human Rights Council and other regional and international forums.
In so doing, they will support the Pacific Islands Forum’s Framework for Pacific Regionalism, in particular concerns expressed by the Pacific Islands leaders about reports of violence in West Papua and call on all parties to protect and uphold the human rights of all residents in West Papua.
Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the FLNKS invite other Pacific Island Countries to do this by peaceful means and to raise the issue of human rights abuses in West Papua at the UN General Assembly in September 2016, the UN Human Rights Council meetings in Geneva in September 2016 and again in March 2017.