Melanesian countries threaten to review Indonesia’s MSG status over West Papua access

Melanesian leaders are giving Indonesia a deadline: facilitate a long-requested UN human rights visit to West Papua, or face a review of its status in the region’s main Melanesian bloc.

The Melanesian Spearhead Group said the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights should gain access to West Papua and produce a report for consideration at the group’s next summit in 2027. If Indonesia does not facilitate the process by the end of its term as president of the Human Rights Council on December 31, 2026, its associate member status will be reviewed.

The request dates back to 2019, when Pacific Islands Forum countries called for the visit. Melanesian governments say it has still not taken place despite continuing reports of human rights violations in the Indonesian-ruled Papua region. The delay has fueled frustration with Jakarta.

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urged continued engagement with Indonesia to facilitate access by the end of Indonesia's term as President of the Human Rights Council on 31 December 2026

The MSG asked its current chair, Fiji, to write to Indonesia and urged member-country embassies in Jakarta to support follow-up efforts. Its full members are Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia’s FLNKS Kanak Movement. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua holds observer status, while Indonesia is an associate member.

Melanesian leaders are also considering a meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Since taking office last year, Prabowo has overseen increased Indonesian military deployments to West Papua, where fighting with the West Papua Liberation Army has intensified in recent months and displaced communities in the High Papua region.

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if these actions are not undertaken the Associate Member status shall be reviewed accordingly at the next MSG Summit in 2027