Australian should ensure Papuan mother's safety

Australian officials should ensure West Papuan mother's safety

Australian Greens Senator Kerry Nettle today called on the federal government to ensure that Australian officials in Papuan New Guinea work with local authorities and the UNHCR to ensure the safety of Siti Pandera Wanggai, mother of 4 year old West Papuan refugee Anike
Wanggai.

"Australian officials should do all they can to ensure the safety of Siti Wanggai," said Senator Nettle

"The Greens are greatly concerned that this family has been caught up and exploited in the row between Australia and Indonesia over West Papua.

"I call on the government to do all it can to ensure Ms Wanggai safety and facilitate her being reunited with her four year old daughter in Australia.

"Clearly she has come under pressure from the Indonesian military and now needs protection. The best result would for her to be reunited with her child in Australia.

"Article 16 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: "The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State."

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