AUCKLAND (Television New Zealand/Asia Pacific Report/Pacific Media Watch): Over the years, many graphic and violent images of torture and beatings have emerged from the Indonesia-controlled region of West Papua, half of the island of Papua shared with Papua New Guinea.
News agencies and social media groups across the world have reported the alleged human rights abuses of West Papua’s indigenous population by Indonesian soldiers.
Yet, the international community continues to ignore the plight of the West Papuan people.
Television New Zealand’s Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver has covered the story of the West Papuan fight for independence from Indonesia for many years.
In this 2018 video story, she explores the reasons why Indonesia clings tightly to power of the island and shuts the rest of the world out, denying access to the island and its people.
She also looks at the close relationship New Zealand has with Indonesia, one our country’s strongest allies and trade partners.
Reporter: Barbara Dreaver
Producer: Natalia Sutherland
Editor: Luis G. Portillo
Pacific Media Watch
