Thousands in Papua New Guinea capital to petition UN on West Papua visit

Troops guarded a gas station in Merauke District, Papua, Tuesday (Sept 3, 2019). (ANTARA/HO/Merauke District Police's Documentation). Sketched by the Pan Pacific Agency.

PORT MORESBY, Oct 13, 2019, RNZ. Thousands of people in Papua New Guinea’s capital are expected to deliver a petition calling on the UN to take action in West Papua, reported the Radio New Zealand.

The National Capital District governor, Powes Parkop, says Friday’s rally will call on the office of the UN Human Rights Commissioner to visit Papua.

So far, Michelle Bachelet has been blocked from accessing the region amid violent demonstrations over racism toward Papuans.

Mr Parkop says more than 5,000 signatures have been collected, which he expects to double by this afternoon, when it will be handed to the local UN office.

He spoke to Mackenzie Smith about the demands.

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