Pacific / West Papua

OPM calls for UN action in Papua

17:09 pm on 1 February 2019

The Free West Papua Movement, or OPM, has called for United Nations intervention over conflict in Papua's Nduga regency.

West Papua Liberation Army at the issuance of a declaration of war against Indonesian security forces. Photo: Supplied

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The Highlands regency is the current focal point of armed conflict between Indonesian security forces and the West Papua Liberation Army.

The conflict intensified after the Liberation Army massacred 17 Indonesian road construction workers late last year.

There are humanitarian concerns for thousands of Papuan villagers who have fled to the bush to avoid violence.

OPM and Liberation Army representatives yesterday held a press conference in neighbouring Papua New Guinea.

They made an urgent appeal to the UN secretary-general to ensure relevant UN agencies act on the crisis in Nduga.

As well they called for the UN Human Rights Council to apply scrutiny on the situation in Papua.