Wantoks, we have finalized the program for the official launch of the "2013 Sorong to Samarai Petition Campaign".....We will need Papua New Guineans to take ownership of the issue of West Papuan inclusion in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)! Friends in the provinces of PNG, please indicate your interests in assisting us disseminate this petition forms... MEDIA RELEASE EMBARGO: 12noon, Monday September 2nd, 2013 The “Sorong to Samarai Campaign Petition in Support of West Papua’s Membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and other human rights matters relating to West Papua ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Date: Monday, September 9th, 2013 Time: 6pm to 8.30pm Venue Main Lecture Theater, UPNG (Waigani Campus) Previous attempts by West Papua to gain membership in the sub-regional forum, Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) have always been unsuccessful. West Papuans have no representation in the MSG. Meanwhile gross human rights abuses continue to be committed against them on their land, threatening their very survival as a people. It is a matter of utmost urgency that the heritage and identity of West Papuans as a Melanesian people is promoted. Recognizing the continuous struggle by West Papuans, and their very close historical, cultural and ethnic affinity with the rest of the other Melanesian nations of the Pacific Islands, the Melanesian Unified Front for West Papuan Self-Determination (hereafter WUF) is leading this series of activities. The primary focus will include the grassroots-based “Sorong to Samarai” Campaign Petition supporting West Papua’s membership in the MSG. The “Sorong to Samarai” Campaign Petition will include awareness on the status of West Papua as an occupied territory and paper signature collection activity. The WUF is a group comprised of concerned Papua New Guineans, West Papuans and other fellow Melanesians. Together with the grassroots sector of the community, we are initiating the “Sorong to Samarai” campaign with the aim of reinforcing the legitimate calls by ALL Melanesians for West Papua to sit at the table of the MSG with its other Melanesian brothers and sisters. We believe that ordinary Papua New Guineans must support each other for the inclusion of West Papua within regional, sub-regional and global forums. We are obliged to reciprocate the contributions by West Papuans PNG’s national development, by lobbying aggressively for the long-overdue membership of West Papua in the MSG. The same sentiments must be shared by concerned and informed Papua New Guineans and other fellow Melanesians. The calls for West Papuan inclusion in the MSG is a legitimate act. Under rights-based treaties such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the inalienable rights of peoples to an identity and a collective heritage is promoted. In Article 15 (1) (a) the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Parties to the Covenant recognize the right of everyone: “To take part in cultural life”. West Papuans are distinctly Melanesian and Pacific Island peoples and their historical, cultural and social connection is Melanesian in orientation. Formal membership of MSG by West Papua is crucial. MSG membership will enable West Papuans to freely participate in expressing their identity and existence as a Melanesian people. Any prolonged or continued denial of West Papuan membership of the MSG is an alienation of Melanesians from their Melanesian heritage, and ultimately the recognition of their human rights. The planned September 9th event is being organized by WUF in coordination with the West Papua Students Association of the UPNG. This event will be staged at the University of Papua New Guinea’s Main Lecture Theater from 6pm to 8.30pm. The “Sorong to Samarai Petition Free West Papua Campaign Launch” will also seek to address the human abuses perpetrated against Melanesians in West Papua. Citizens of PNG and West Papua, have the opportunity to express their support through this paper signature petition collection exercise. This activity will run throughout the course of the month of September. The signed petitions will be presented to government officials of PNG and MSG officials, and other notable members of the diplomatic corps in PNG. For more information contact the following: Mr. Fred Mambrasar (Phone: 73338259 or Email: papuavoice13@gmail) or Patrick Kaiku (Email: Patrick.Kaiku@gmail) or Mr. Tony Fofoe (Phone: 7049 4380).
Posted on: Mon, 02 Sep 2013 09:00:16 +0000
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