The United Liberation Movement for West Papua is calling on the Pacific Islands Forum leaders to send a human rights fact finding mission to the Indonesian region.
The Secretary-General of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, Octo Mote. Photo: RNZI / Koroi Hawkins
The movement is seen as the body representing the Melanesian people and recently became an observer member at the group which unites the Melanesian countries, the Melanesian Spearhead Group.
The ULMWP's secretary general, Octo Mote, who is touring New Zealand to rally support, says the backing for West Papua at last week's Forum officials meeting was a great boost.
He says the meeting got unanimous support to include the West Papua issue on the agenda at the Forum leader's summit next month in PNG.
"so we presume New Zealand will do the same thing, which is, they will not object about this humanitarian fact-finding mission; more even I am certain that the government, there is no reason for them not to support it."
Listen to full interview with Octo Mote on Dateline Pacific