Pacific leaders raise West Papua at the UN

16:04 pm on 26 September 2016

Leaders of six Pacific Island nations have highlighted concern about West Papua while speaking at the United Nations General Assembly.

At the general debate of the Assembly's 71st session, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Nauru, Marshall Islands and Tuvalu called for UN action on alleged human rights abuses in Papua.

Calls for West Papuan self-determination rights to be respected were also made by some of the leaders.

Johnny Blades filed this report.

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Pacific leaders at the UN General Assembly expressed concern about human rights abuses in Papua. Top L to R: Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai; Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare; Tonga Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva. Bottom L to R: Nauru President Baron Waqa; Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine; Tuvalu Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga Photo: UN Photo