Nelson K. Philip; 7/10/08
The West Papuan refugees who were evicted from Eight-Mile, National Capital District, last year said land was no longer an issue as they wanted to leave for a third country despite the reluctance of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to resettle them. Leader of the West Papuan displaced refugees Freddy Waromi said there were 148 people from 25 families living under makeshift tents and tarpaulins, with only one water tap and a dug pit toilet. Mr Waromi said the Vanuatu council of chiefs (Mal Vatu Mauri national council of chiefs) had agreed to accept them as Melanesian brothers and sisters. “The Vanuatu council of chiefs has indicated to adopt us as Melanesian brothers and sisters, but the only problem is that Vanuatu is not a signatory to the UN refugee charter. “The UNHCR office here in Port Moresby is negotiating with the PNG Government to release us so that we can be resettled in Vanuatu,” Mr Waromi said.
See: http://www.thenational.com.pg/100708/nation2.php
Tags: Indonesia, PNG, UN, Vanuatu, West Papua