Members of the civil society organization under the umbrella body of Solomon Islands in Solidarity for West Papua gathered in numbers on Thursday to renew their call on the Solomon Islands Government to support the bid for West Papua to gain full membership in MSG.
The call was made ahead of the Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister trip to Papua New Guinea (PNG) early next week to decide on the West Papua bid to MSG.
The gathering comprised on members of SICA, Civil Societies, the general public and students from the University of South Pacific to show their solidarity in support of the bid for the Melanesian people of West Papua for full in the Melanesian Spearhead Group.
Commenting on the gathering Lily Chekana highlighted that West Papuans are Melanesians and their right to be part of MSG shouldn’t be deterred by outside influences.
The decision made by MSG leaders on the 21st of May in Papua New Guinea is crucial to the West Papua bid and MSG leaders must stand tall in upholding the true spirit of the Melanesian way rather being succumbed to outside influence and money diplomacy.
“The decision made on the 21st is crucial and I call the Hon. Prime Minister to be genuine and confident when deciding on the issue of West Papua, the best the Solomon Islands people could expect from you is to support West Papua bid for MSG. Listen to your peoples” said Ms. Chekana.
She said, inclusion of West Papua into MSG would provide space for dialogue on the issue of Human Rights suffered by West Papuans at the hands of Indonesian Military and Police for the past 50 years as well as a diplomatic channel where such issue can be resolved. “West Papua is part of the Melanesian family and our leaders must made the right decision to include West Papua into MSG. If MSG leaders can include the Kanaki of New Caledonia into MSG why not do the same for West Papua, it’s time that our Lleaders put politics aside and show genuineness in dealing with the West Papua bid to be part of MSG,” Ms Chekana said.
The Solomon Islands in Solidarity for West Papua group will stage a peace march and video and photo exhibition in support of West Papua bid for West Papua on Tuesday 19th May 2015.
