Irian Jaya: Torture

Mr. Drew
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what reports he has received on allegations of torture in West Papuan prisons;

(2) what recent discussions he has had with the Indonesian Government on self-determination for West Papua; and if he will make a statement;

(3) what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Free West Papua Campaign; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn
We are aware of allegations of ill treatment in prisons. Our embassy in Jakarta regularly discusses human rights issues, including Papua, with the Indonesian Government. Manfred Novak, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture is currently visiting Indonesia and we will carefully consider the resulting findings and recommendations.

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not discussed Papua with the Indonesian Government. However, I met the Governor of Papua, Barnabus Suebo, when he visited London on 25 October. We discussed the situation in Papua, including human rights and the implementation of the Special Autonomy Law.

We are in contact with the Free West Papua Campaign and encourage dialogue between them and the Government of Indonesia. Officials at our embassy in Jakarta visit Papua regularly and meet local officials, academics, journalists and non-governmental organisations. We believe that the best way to resolve the issues in Papua is through promoting peaceful dialogue between Papuan groups and the Indonesian Government.