UN urged to resolve Papuan self-determination

An international law specialist says the United Nations should resolve the unfinished business of West Papuan self-determination

Melinda Janki has analysed the adherence to international law in the transferral of sovereignty over Papua from the Dutch to Indonesia in the 1960's.

She says that under this process, Indonesia was obliged to grant an act of self-determination.

But Ms Janki argues that 1969's so-called Act of Free Choice didn't meet international standards of self determination.

Indonesia has strong support among other countries for its claim to Papua, and insists the 1969 referendum finalised its territorial claim to Papua.

But Ms Janki told Johnny Blades that the process around the referendum clearly lacked legitimacy.