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Human Rights, West Papua—United Nations Secretary-General’s Statement

Thursday 8 September 2011 Hansard source (external site)

Delahunty4. CATHERINE DELAHUNTY (Green) Link to this
to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Does he support United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s statement regarding human rights in West Papua that “we will do all to ensure that people in West Papua, their human rights will be respected”?

PowerHon SIMON POWER (Minister of Justice) Link to this

SmithMr SPEAKER Link to this

I apologise to the House that I did not officially call question No. 4. I was kind of nonplussed by the previous answer to a supplementary question, and lost the flow for a moment. We are on question No. 4.

DelahuntyCatherine Delahunty Link to this

What actions, if any, has he taken to condemn the Indonesian Government for the widespread human rights abuses in West Papua, which were brought to light last year in videos showing torture?

PowerHon SIMON POWER Link to this

The incidents that the member refers to, which I believe are the unlawful detention and torture of individuals, were a breach of international law, and, in particular, the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. New Zealand plays a particular role in continuing to raise human rights issues with the Indonesian Government in that regard. The advice I have is that those involved in the ill-treatment of the West Papuans were eventually dealt with by the courts.

DelahuntyCatherine Delahunty Link to this

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Minister stated a position but he did not say what actions he has taken to condemn those particular acts of torture—those particular ones.

PowerHon SIMON POWER Link to this

I think if the member reviews the Hansard, she will find that I said that New Zealand continues to raise human rights issues with the Indonesian Government.

DelahuntyCatherine Delahunty Link to this

Will he urge his colleagues in Cabinet to halt plans to strengthen bilateral defence arrangements with Indonesia, considering the 10-month sentences given to Indonesian soldiers found guilty of torturing indigenous West Papuan citizens by burning their genitals?

DelahuntyCatherine Delahunty Link to this

Will he urge his colleague the Minister of Defence to reconsider current plans to visit Indonesia and instigate reciprocal high-level visits, given Indonesian President Yudhoyono’s comments that the torture of West Papuan citizens is only a minor incident?

PowerHon SIMON POWER Link to this

In respect of the first part of that question, no.

DelahuntyCatherine Delahunty Link to this

What is his response to the call this week from West Papuan representatives that New Zealand should act as a facilitator between Indonesia and representatives of West Papua in peace talks?

PowerHon SIMON POWER Link to this

I am sorry, but I do not have enough information on hand to answer that question specifically. I am sure that if the member puts the question down to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, he would be happy to respond to it.

DelahuntyCatherine Delahunty Link to this

Does he agree with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s view expressed yesterday that the issue of Papuan self-government “should … be discussed at the Decolonisation Committee of the United Nations General Assembly.”?

PowerHon SIMON POWER Link to this

I have not seen those particular comments from Ban Ki-moon, but I know that with any issues the New Zealand Government has with matters relating to West Papua, the opportunity will arise in 2012, I understand, as part of the Universal Periodic Review of Indonesia. New Zealand will have the opportunity at that time to ask questions that may cover some of the matters the member has raised.

DelahuntyCatherine Delahunty Link to this

Sorry, point of order, was that a yes?

SmithMr SPEAKER Link to this

The member must be acknowledged in seeking a point of order. The member is seeking a point of order. What is the point of order she is raising?

SmithMr SPEAKER Link to this

That is not a point of order. The member can lodge that as a further supplementary question, should she wish.

DelahuntyCatherine Delahunty Link to this

Will he join Amnesty International in asking for the release of West Papuans imprisoned simply for raising the Papuan nationalist morning star flag?

PowerHon SIMON POWER Link to this

I do not have any advice with me today on the specific issue of the matters raised by Amnesty International, and I would be reluctant to commit to the House without that information to hand.

DelahuntyCatherine Delahunty Link to this

I seek leave to table from the EngageMedia website on 21 November 2010 the testimony of West Papuan farmer Tunaliwor Kiwo, recounting the detail of his torture by Indonesian soldiers.

SmithMr SPEAKER Link to this

Leave is sought to table this document. Is there any objection? There is no objection.

Document, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.

DelahuntyCatherine Delahunty Link to this

I seek leave to table a photograph from the westpapuaunite channel on YouTube from 25 October 2010 of a West Papuan farmer being tortured, while the soldier says—

SmithMr SPEAKER Link to this

Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is no objection.

Document, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.

DelahuntyCatherine Delahunty Link to this

I seek leave to table a photograph from the AlJazeeraEnglish channel on YouTube from 18 October 2010 of a Papuan farmer having his genitals burnt.

SmithMr SPEAKER Link to this

Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? Is there objection? There is objection because it is on the website. There is objection to that document being tabled.