Dublin - The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, committed herself yesterday to improving human rights in the separatist Indonesian province of West Papua when she met a prominent Papuan rights activist in Geneva, writes David Shanks.
The activist, Mr John Rumbiak, is to visit Dublin next Tuesday where he will meet the Minister of State, Ms Liz O'Donnell, Trocaire, and address a public meeting.
Mr Rumbiak reported to the commissioner on recent violations by Indonesian forces, in particular on 22 prisoners of conscience, ongoing killings "and torture of West Papuans who try to exercise their right to self-determination," according to a statement from West Papua Action in Dublin. Mr Rumbiak's address will be in the Swift Theatre (room 2041a), Arts Block, TCD at 7.30 p.m. next Tuesday.