In October 2008, Benny Wenda launched the International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) - a cross-party group of politicians from around the world who support self-determination for the people of West Papua.
History
IPWP was launched at the Houses of Parliament, London on 15 October 2008. Speakers at the launch included Melinda Janki (International Human Rights Lawyer), Hon. Andrew Smith MP (UK), Lord Harries (UK), Hon Lembik Opik MP (UK), Lord Avebury (UK), Hon. Powes Parkop MP (Papua New Guinea) Hon. Carcasses Moana Kalosil MP (Vanuatu) and Carmel Budiarjo (TAPOL).
Mission statement
Mission statement
"We the undersigned recognise the
inalienable right of the indigenous
people of West Papua to
self-determination, which was violated
in the 1969 “Act of Free Choice”, and
call upon our governments through the
United Nations to put in place
arrangements for the free exercise of
that right so that the indigenous people
of West Papua can decide
democratically their own future in
accordance with international standard
of human rights, the principles of
international law and the Charter of the United Nations".
inalienable right of the indigenous
people of West Papua to
self-determination, which was violated
in the 1969 “Act of Free Choice”, and
call upon our governments through the
United Nations to put in place
arrangements for the free exercise of
that right so that the indigenous people
of West Papua can decide
democratically their own future in
accordance with international standard
of human rights, the principles of
international law and the Charter of the United Nations".
Founding members
IPWP was set up by Benny Wenda and is chaired by the British Labour Party MP Andrew Smith and Lord Harries. Some of the founding members of IPWP, were involved in a similar group that was set up for East Timor prior to it gaining independence from Indonesia.
Andrew Smith is also the Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for West Papua. This meets regularly in the Houses of Parliament and is composed of British politicians. It monitors the human rights situation in West Papua as well as investigating and documenting reports of human rights abuses by the Indonesian military.
Andrew Smith is also the Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for West Papua. This meets regularly in the Houses of Parliament and is composed of British politicians. It monitors the human rights situation in West Papua as well as investigating and documenting reports of human rights abuses by the Indonesian military.
Goals of IPWP
The main goal of International Parliamentarians for West Papua is to develop international parliamentary support and awareness for the situation in West Papua, and to bring about the means whereby the people of West Papua can exercise their basic human right of self-determination, which was violated in the 1969 ‘Act of Free Choice’
At the launch of IPWP in London, other areas that were discussed were ways of developing support amongst politicians from other countries, the
possibility of sending a United Nations
peacekeeping force to West Papua, and
sending a delegation to West Papua on
a fact finding mission.
At the launch of IPWP in London, other areas that were discussed were ways of developing support amongst politicians from other countries, the
possibility of sending a United Nations
peacekeeping force to West Papua, and
sending a delegation to West Papua on
a fact finding mission.
Support
So far IPWP has registered the support of
politicians from countries including the
United Kingdom, USA, New Zealand,
Australia,Vanuatu, Czech Republic,
Switzerland, Guyana, the Netherlands,
Sweden and Papua New Guinea.
In October 2009 Benny Wenda made a
visit to Papua New Guinea for a further
launch of the International Parliamentarians
group, co-hosted by PNG politican Powes
Parkop.
Plans were also announced for a launch of the International Parliamentarians group to take place in the European Parliament in early 2010.
Subversion trials in Indonesia
politicians from countries including the
United Kingdom, USA, New Zealand,
Australia,Vanuatu, Czech Republic,
Switzerland, Guyana, the Netherlands,
Sweden and Papua New Guinea.
In October 2009 Benny Wenda made a
visit to Papua New Guinea for a further
launch of the International Parliamentarians
group, co-hosted by PNG politican Powes
Parkop.
Plans were also announced for a launch of the International Parliamentarians group to take place in the European Parliament in early 2010.
Subversion trials in Indonesia
In February 2009, two Papuan activists, Buchtar Tabuni and Seblon Sambom were placed on trial by Indonesian authorities after taking part in a peaceful demonstration held in the Papuan provincial capital Jayapura. The rally had been held to show support for the launch of International Parliamentarians for West Papua. The rally took place in Jayapura in October 2008. They are currently on trial accused of charges including 'subversion' under article 106 of the Indonesian Penal Code; 'incitement' under article 160 as well as 'resisting personnel of the state' under article 212. In July 2009, Buchtar Tabuni was sentenced to three years in prison by the Indonesian authorities, and in September of the same year Seblon Sambom was sentenced to two years imprisonment.
