Pacific Island leaders have used the 81st UN General Assembly in New York to renew calls for Indonesia to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua. The demands are a response to re-appearing reports of serious human rights violations in West Papua over the past decades. On 25 September 2026, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale, who referred to West Papuans as “our Melanesian brothers and sisters,” affirmed his country’s respect for Indonesia’s sovereignty but warned that the reports “must be independently verified, not left to become a matter of debate.” He echoed the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2019 call for the visit to proceed “without further delay,” describing it as “an act of trust between friends.” On 25 September, Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine reaffirmed the Forum’s position and pointed to Indonesia’s own 2018 invitation to the High Commissioner, a visit that has still not taken place. On 28 September 2026, Odo Tevi, Permanent Representative of Vanuatu to the United Nations, referred to the concerns raised by the UN special procedures mechanisms regarding the rights of indigenous peoples, displacement, cultural rights, environmental impacts, and the treatment of human rights defenders. “Peace and security cannot be separated from human rights. Vanuatu remains deeply concerned about reports of serious human rights violations affecting indigenous Papuans in West Papua.” said Odo. “United Nations special procedures have also raised concerns regarding indigenous rights, displacement cultural rights, environmental impacts and the treatment of human rights defenders in Papua The call from the Pacific Forum leaders for the UN Human Rights Commissioner visit to West Papua remains unheeded and needs to be action.”
The pressure on Jakarta is growing. Earlier this month, the Melanesian Spearhead Group warned that Indonesia’s associate membership would be reviewed if the visit does not happen in time for a report to be presented at the group’s 2027 summit. Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono responded by stressing national unity, saying diversity must be managed and respected. Wale also used his address to urge the international community to complete the work of decolonisation, reaffirming support for self-determination for the Kanak people of New Caledonia and the Maohi Nui people of French Polynesia.
Indonesia rejected the criticism in its right of reply, stating that credible allegations are taken seriously and addressed through national institutions and legal mechanisms, including the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM). The delegation cited its record on the UN Human Rights Council, which it currently presides over, and insisted the situation in West Papua be viewed comprehensively, pointing to violence by armed groups against civilians, teachers, health workers and officials. On the proposed visit, Indonesia said any arrangements must be agreed between the host country and the High Commissioner’s office, as with all member states, and “must not be dictated by other countries or regional organisations.”
