Prime Minister James Marape has reaffirmed Papua New Guinea’s commitment to raising human rights concerns affecting Melanesians, including in West Papua, insisting that the government has consistently addressed the issue with Indonesia.
Speaking in Parliament, Marape responded to questions from North Fly MP James Donald, who asked why PNG had not taken stronger public positions on reported killings, displacement, and the influx of refugees from West Papua into Western and East West Sepik provinces. Donald noted that more than 15,000 West Papuan refugees have entered PNG over the years and suggested that perceived “silence” could be interpreted as fear or submission to Jakarta.
Marape rejected these claims, saying there was no element of fear in PNG’s foreign policy. Reflecting on his own childhood in the Telefomin area and in refugee camps, he said he personally understood the West Papuan struggle. “When it comes to Melanesian human rights, James Marape or a Pangu-led government or anyone for that matter will always advocate for Melanesian human rights,” he said.
The Prime Minister stressed that PNG’s respect for Indonesia’s sovereignty is distinct from its duty to raise human rights issues. “Sovereignty issues are different from human rights issues. We respect the full sovereign integrity of the Republic of Indonesia. But if atrocities happen in West Papua, we have every right to speak,” he said.
Marape said PNG has raised its concerns in all major international and regional forums, including the United Nations, the Pacific Islands Forum, and the Melanesian Spearhead Group, as well as in bilateral discussions with former President Joko Widodo and current President Prabowo Subianto. He noted that PNG played a key role in shaping the 2019 Pacific Islands Forum resolution on West Papua, which called on Indonesia to allow access to the UN Human Rights Commissioner.
He emphasised that PNG’s policy on Indonesia has remained consistent since independence, respecting sovereignty while advocating firmly and respectfully for human rights. “These issues are never ignored,” he said.