Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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334. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his position on growing calls for the independence of West Papua, especially given increasing and alarming human rights violations there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19233/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Ireland, along with the EU, respects the territorial integrity of Indonesia and regards the province of West Papua as being part of Indonesia.

Nevertheless, the human rights situation in West Papua remains an issue of concern. This is raised regularly in contacts between the EU and Indonesia, and developments in this area will continue to be monitored closely by the Embassy of Ireland in Jakarta.

The 6th Indonesia-EU Human Rights Dialogue, held on Tuesday 28 June in Brussels, provided a framework for open and constructive discussions between the EU and Indonesia on a wide range of human rights issues of mutual interest.

This dialogue took stock of progress in implementing key human rights commitments, including the implementation of Indonesia’s 2015-2019 National Human Rights Action Plan. A broad range of issues was discussed such as non-discrimination and tolerance, access to justice, the death penalty, the rights of migrants, the rights of persons with disabilities, as well as persons belonging to minorities and vulnerable groups.

I support President Widodo’s stated intention to address the concerns of the people of West Papua and to make reconciliation in West Papua a priority. In this regard, I note the decision to grant clemency to several political prisoners and open access to Papua for foreign journalists. I welcome efforts to find a peaceful, inclusive and lasting solution to this situation