A group of protestors gathered outside New Zealand's parliament today calling on Indonesia to give access for media and aid groups to West Papua.
It was one of many rallies being held across the world to mark the Global Day of Action on West Papua.
Protestors calling for open access for media and aid groups to West Papua gather outside parliament in Wellington. Photo: RNZI / Mary Baines
A Green MP and protest organiser, Catherine Delahunty, says for more than 50 years, access for foreign journalists seeking to report on Papua has been severly restricted.
She says the media blackout denies the Papuan people the right to have their voices heard.
Ms Delahunty says all over the world, letters are being written and delivered to the Indonesian president Joko Widodo, calling on him to honour his commitment to making Papua more open.
"We're here at the New Zealand parliament because we passed a motion last year saying we supported journalist freedom in West Papua but our government has done very little other than allow us to do that motion. We need them to do more. We need them to talk to President Widodo, and challenge him to make sure that he is serious about open access."
Protestors calling for open access for media and aid groups to West Papua gather outside parliament in Wellington. Photo: RNZI / Mary Baines