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RNZ News
2 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Pro-independence advocates urge Melanesian Spearhead Group to elevate ULMWP membership
Indigenous Papuans at a rallying in Merauke, West Papua. Photo: Facebook / Sa Papua Two international organisations are leading a call for the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) to elevate the membership status of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) at their upcoming summit in Honiara in September. The collective led by International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) and International Lawyers for West Papua (ILWP) has again highlighted the urgent need for greater international oversight and diplomatic engagement in the West Papua Region. This influential group includes PNG's National Capital District governor Powes Parkop, UK's former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, and New Zealand's former Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty. The ULMWP currently holds observer status within the MSG, a regional body comprising Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front of New Caledonia. A statement by the organisations said upgrading the ULMWP's membership is "within the remit of the MSG" and requires a consensus among member states. They appeal to the Agreement Establishing the MSG, which undertakes to "promote, coordinate and strengthen…exchange of Melanesian cultures, traditions and values, sovereign equality…to further MSG members' shared goals of economic growth, sustainable development, good governance, peace, and security," considering that all these ambitions would be advanced by upgrading ULMWP membership. Photo: AFP/ Andrew Gal However, Indonesia's associate membership in the MSG, granted in 2015, has become a significant point of contention, particularly for West Papuan self-determination advocates. This inclusion is widely seen as a strategic maneuver by Jakarta to counter growing regional support for West Papuan independence. The ULMWP and its supporters consistently question why Indonesia, as the administering power over West Papua, should hold any status within a forum intended to champion Melanesian interests, arguing that Indonesia's presence effectively stifles critical discussions about West Papua's self-determination, creating a diplomatic barrier to genuine dialogue and accountability within the very body meant to serve Melanesian peoples. Given Papua New Guinea's historical record within the MSG, its likely response at the upcoming summit in Honiara will be characterised by a delicate balancing act. While PNG has expressed concerns regarding human rights in West Papua and supported calls for a UN Human Rights mission, it has consistently maintained respect for Indonesia's sovereignty over the region. Past statements from PNG leaders, including Prime Minister James Marape, have emphasised Indonesia's responsibility for addressing internal issues in West Papua and have noted that the ULMWP has not met the MSG's criteria for full membership. Further complicating the situation, the IPWP and ILWP report that West Papua remains largely cut off from international scrutiny. A strict ban on journalists entering the region means accounts of severe and ongoing human rights abuses often go unreported. The joint statement highlights a critical lack of transparency, noting that "very little international oversight" exists. A key point of contention is Indonesia's failure to honour its commitments; despite the 2023 MSG leaders' summit urging the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to conduct a human rights mission to West Papua before the 2024 summit, Indonesia has yet to facilitate this visit. The IPWP/ILWP statement says the continued refusal is a violation of its obligations as a UN member state.
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
‘Government Plans To Destroy The Last Remaining Wetlands'
Press Release – Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki says the Government announcement on replacing the RMA and undermining Councils oversight of the environment is a commitment to vandalism. Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki says the Government announcement on replacing the Resource Management Act (RMA) and undermining Councils oversight of the environment is a commitment to vandalism. 'The whole announcement is a disaster, but the mining example takes the cake. They say that wetlands will be open to mining and quarrying even though 90% of wetlands have already been destroyed by destructive land management,' says Watchdog Chairperson Catherine Delahunty. 'Its so extraordinarily reckless and out of touch, they are drunk with power and immune to reason. So much hard work on farms, coasts and public land has gone into protecting the 10% of wetlands left because of their key role they play in water quality improvement by filtering out pollutants, reducing flood risks and providing vital habitats for fish breeding and homes for many other diverse plants and animals. Wetlands sequester carbon which would be reason enough not to mine them. Our country signed onto the RAMSAR intergovernmental treaty, a Convention committing us to the wise use of wetlands and we have to report on how we are protecting them, especially those of international significance. Is the Government abandoning that commitment?' 'I do not know what is driving this new attack on the environment, greed seems obvious, but surely the Government can see the economic value in wetlands. It is not the 1950s and we know that we need to protect every wetland left in the country as well as needing to create more. Mining will neither create permanent jobs nor pay for public services. It is a tiny part of the economy, mostly gold and coal and the gold will go offshore while leaving toxic waste behind. Coal is a greenhouse gas we must leave in the ground. It seems the plan is to shut out Te Tiriti, iwi and public participation in decisions and then set rules that facilitate vandalism towards fresh water and other habitat like wetlands, it is beyond stupid.'
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
'Government Plans To Destroy The Last Remaining Wetlands'
Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki says the Government announcement on replacing the Resource Management Act (RMA) and undermining Councils oversight of the environment is a commitment to vandalism. "The whole announcement is a disaster, but the mining example takes the cake. They say that wetlands will be open to mining and quarrying even though 90% of wetlands have already been destroyed by destructive land management,' says Watchdog Chairperson Catherine Delahunty. "Its so extraordinarily reckless and out of touch, they are drunk with power and immune to reason. So much hard work on farms, coasts and public land has gone into protecting the 10% of wetlands left because of their key role they play in water quality improvement by filtering out pollutants, reducing flood risks and providing vital habitats for fish breeding and homes for many other diverse plants and animals. Wetlands sequester carbon which would be reason enough not to mine them. Our country signed onto the RAMSAR intergovernmental treaty, a Convention committing us to the wise use of wetlands and we have to report on how we are protecting them, especially those of international significance. Is the Government abandoning that commitment?" 'I do not know what is driving this new attack on the environment, greed seems obvious, but surely the Government can see the economic value in wetlands. It is not the 1950s and we know that we need to protect every wetland left in the country as well as needing to create more. Mining will neither create permanent jobs nor pay for public services. It is a tiny part of the economy, mostly gold and coal and the gold will go offshore while leaving toxic waste behind. Coal is a greenhouse gas we must leave in the ground. It seems the plan is to shut out Te Tiriti, iwi and public participation in decisions and then set rules that facilitate vandalism towards fresh water and other habitat like wetlands, it is beyond stupid.'
Scoop
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Opposition To Gold Mining More Than At Risk Frogs
Press Release – Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki Watchdog and other groups will continue to oppose gold mining given the fact that gold is plentiful above ground and easily reusable. The real resources of infinite value are clean water and the treasured species that are now being called a threat. Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki say the amendments to the Wildlife Act this week and Shane Jones comments that Oceana Gold mining issue is just about vibration affecting 'mating frogs' are frivolous, wrong, and uninformed. 'The labelling of at-risk species like kiwi, some frogs, native bats and more as 'threats to development' could be a world first in terms of the deliberate promotion of extinction. The changes to the Wildlife Act this week, which were motivated to limit the courts from ruling in favour of protecting at risk species , are a bizarre leap backwards into deliberate disregard for the environment. 'Shane Jones is also wrong that our opposition to the Wharekirauponga gold mine project in the forest behind Whangamata is only about risks to Archeys frogs. We have consistently stated that creating more mountains of toxic waste from this proposed gold mine, dewatering the forest and risking acid mine leachate affecting underground water, are all reasons why we oppose this mine. Blasting under the habitat of the 200 million year old at risk frog is also a terrible idea. Thanks to the Fast Track law we have no right to participate in hearings so that these issues can be publicly scrutinised. Now the changes to the Wildlife Act presumably mean that even the expert panels cannot give due weight to protecting wildlife,' said Catherine Delahunty Chairperson of Watchdog. Oceana Gold's Waihi North Project application to the Fast Track process was accepted this week and includes a new open pit in Waihi plus more underground mining there as well as the large underground mine at Wharekirauponga forests. 'When the Government becomes the enemy of at risk species so that multinationals companies can dig up gold for their profit, we all lose the hard work over many years to value and protect what is unique in these lands. It is a reputational risk but also an attack on our values and relationships with the rest of natural world. Shame on this Government.' Watchdog and other groups will continue to oppose gold mining given the fact that gold is plentiful above ground and easily reusable. The real resources of infinite value are clean water and the treasured species that are now being called 'a threat'.
Scoop
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Opposition To Gold Mining More Than At Risk Frogs
Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki say the amendments to the Wildlife Act this week and Shane Jones comments that Oceana Gold mining issue is just about vibration affecting "mating frogs' are frivolous, wrong, and uninformed. 'The labelling of at-risk species like kiwi, some frogs, native bats and more as "threats to development' could be a world first in terms of the deliberate promotion of extinction. The changes to the Wildlife Act this week, which were motivated to limit the courts from ruling in favour of protecting at risk species , are a bizarre leap backwards into deliberate disregard for the environment. 'Shane Jones is also wrong that our opposition to the Wharekirauponga gold mine project in the forest behind Whangamata is only about risks to Archeys frogs. We have consistently stated that creating more mountains of toxic waste from this proposed gold mine, dewatering the forest and risking acid mine leachate affecting underground water, are all reasons why we oppose this mine. Blasting under the habitat of the 200 million year old at risk frog is also a terrible idea. Thanks to the Fast Track law we have no right to participate in hearings so that these issues can be publicly scrutinised. Now the changes to the Wildlife Act presumably mean that even the expert panels cannot give due weight to protecting wildlife,' said Catherine Delahunty Chairperson of Watchdog. Oceana Gold's Waihi North Project application to the Fast Track process was accepted this week and includes a new open pit in Waihi plus more underground mining there as well as the large underground mine at Wharekirauponga forests. 'When the Government becomes the enemy of at risk species so that multinationals companies can dig up gold for their profit, we all lose the hard work over many years to value and protect what is unique in these lands. It is a reputational risk but also an attack on our values and relationships with the rest of natural world. Shame on this Government." Watchdog and other groups will continue to oppose gold mining given the fact that gold is plentiful above ground and easily reusable. The real resources of infinite value are clean water and the treasured species that are now being called 'a threat'.
