12 December 2014

New Zealand should condemn West Papua killings

The New Zealand Government needs to demand accountability from the Indonesian government for the latest killings in West Papua, the Green Party said today.

It has been reported that five people have been killed, and dozens injured, when Indonesian police and military opened fire into a protesting crowd. Both the military and police have denied responsibility.

“John Key and the New Zealand Government need to publically condemn these killings,” Green Party human rights spokesperson Catherine Delahunty said.

“Murray McCully was recently at the inauguration of the Indonesian President building our relationship, but that cannot supersede human rights.

“The New Zealand Government has given public money to train the Indonesian police. It is appalling that the Indonesian police are killing innocent West Papuans.

“The National Government has continued to foster relationships with Indonesia despite its appalling human rights record, this needs to stop.

“As a member of the Security Council, we need to lead the way, in taking a stand against abuses like this.

“The Green Party is calling on the Government to condemn the killings in West Papua and raise this matter with the Indonesian ambassador to New Zealand.

“If Indonesia continues to ignore military killings the international community, including New Zealand, needs to apply pressure on them,” said Ms Delahunty.

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