The UK opposition party leader, Jeremy Corbyn this week endorsed an independence referendum for West Papuans, urging that human rights and justice “has to be the cornerstone of foreign policy, the cornerstone of our relationship with every other country”.
“I want these issues to become central to our party’s policies in the future and above all I want to see an end to environmental degradation and destruction and the right of people to be able to make their own choice on their own future," Mr Corbyn was quoted by The Guardian as saying at a meeting which included the West Papuan independence leader, Benny Wenda.
“Recognise injustice when you see it,” he added. “Recognise the abuse of human rights when you see it and recognise that both sides in any conflict benefit from a peace process and benefit from recognition of human rights, law and justice.”
Endorsing the West Papuan people's right to determine their own future, Mr Corbyn added:
“Essentially what we’re looking at is a group of people who did not enjoy their rights during a period of decolonisation, did not enjoy the rights bestowed to them by the UN charter and by the statutes on decolonisation."
“As a member of parliament I support them, as a member of this group and as a former vice-chair of the all-party human rights group.”
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