West Papua Information Kit

West Papua: Quick Reference

Under authority of General Assembly resolution 1752, Charter of the United Nations article 81 and 85 part 1, West Papua came under UN occupation in September 1961.

United Nations administration has been implemented by the Republic of Indonesia since May 1963, public access has been restricted since September 1963, political parties were banned for two years, there have been reports of extrajudicial executions since 1965, foreign exploitation and mining since 1967, Indonesia banned journalists and diplomats during 1969, armed conflicts between Indonesian and Papuan communities or forces since 1965 continued during 1969 including during an event or process Indonesia calls the 'Act of free choice'.

An United Nations motion calling on Indonesia to allow a referendum or act of self-determination by 1975 was defeated on 19 November 1969 and the United Nations has not discussed responsibility for the administration of the territory since that time.

A Yale Law School study in 1994 reviewed the application of the law of genocide to the administration of the territory.

The UN Secretary General has not yet placed the news of General Assembly resolution 1752 on the agenda of the Trusteeship Council.