SODELPA Member of Parliament Ro Filipe Tuisawau has called on Government to support Vanuatu in assisting West Papua in their fight for independence.
His comments came after the Minister for Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs Inia Seruiratu declared publicly in Parliament the Fijian Government’s support for Indonesia’s sovereignty over West Papua.
In response, Ro Filipe said it was a shame that Fiji couldn’t support one of its Melanesian brothers.
“They need to make a stand on the issue because the Papua petition is with the United Nations and Vanuatu as the key member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group is supporting it,” he said.
“It’s a shame that Fiji is not saying anything or making suggestions in resolving the situation in moving them towards autonomy and independence.”
“Fiji in its position in the UN Human Rights Council as deputy chair needs to make a position because of the violence of human rights abuse in West Papua and Papua Province.”
