The following speech was given by Conservative MP, Robert Courts, to open the first-ever House of Commons debate on West Papua. I beg to move, That this House has considered human rights in West Papua. It is an honour to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Hollobone. I am delighted to have been granted this extremely.

Please note that the All-Party Parliamentary Group on West Papua has re-scheduled its meeting on May 28 to June 4. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on West Papua (APPG) will be holding a meeting in Parliament on Tuesday June 4 at 5 – 6.30PM in the Thatcher Room, Portcullis House, Bridge Street, London, SW1A 2LW, United.

The UK Parliament held a comprehensive hour-long debate into West Papuan human rights on Wednesday. Members of Parliament (MPs) from numerous political parties in the UK noted the historic violation of West Papua’s right to self-determination, raised concern over system human rights abuses by Indonesian security services, and called for the UK government to review.