By Sarah E. Treptow
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea– Over 700 West Papuans living in Papua New Guinea are returning home to the Indonesian side of the border even though there are claims they face human rights abuses.  The Indonesian Embassy in Port Moresby will begin flying the West Papuans to Vanimo on PNG’s coast next month and will then drive them across the border to their former homes.  Hakim Abdul from the embassy said the voluntary repatriations were happening because conditions in West Papua had steadily improved since 2001.

Mr. Abdul said, “It’s good news as they now want to go home after learning about life in West Papua from friends and family, even reading the internet.”  The Indonesian government would pay for the repatriation and was working with PNG’s government about the issue.

Felix Meraudje from the West Papua National Congress based in Port Moresby said it was a publicity stunt.  Mr. Meraudje said, “It’s publicity to show Indonesia is good.”  He continued, “These people who have chosen to go back are frustrated with the lack of results from the United Nations to place us outside of PNG.”  He said 10,000 to 20,000 West Papuans who fled their homes on the Indonesian side because of persecution by authorities that lived throughout PNG.

Many of the West Papuans fled originally to escape separatist violence.

For more information, please see:
Pacific Islands Report – 700 West Papuans to Return From Papua New Guinea – 12 January 2009

Radio New Zealand International – Hundreds of Papuans in PNG gear up for repatriation to Indonesia – 09 January 2009

The Sydney Morning Herald – Indonesia bringing 700 West Papuans home – 09 January 2009