Speaker: Thank you very much. On May 1, 1963 Indonesia annexed the territory of west Papoea. As part of the agreement giving sovereignty of their territory, the people in the region had to be given the opportunity to determine their future in a referendum. This referendum was held in 1965 under the title “Right of Free Choice.” But it was far from free, because only a select group of Papoeans, appointed by the Indonesian government could decide the fate of the Papoeans. The outcome therefore was predictable and the region remained part of Indonesia. The following decades in many human rights violations against the indigenous Papoeans as well as large scale destruction of the environment. Indonesia did not live up to the obligation of all states to protect all of its citizens. The injustice done to the Papoeans is a stain on Indonesia’s obligations. It is therefore also a challenge for Indonesia, as it is for the Papoeans to find a just solution for the situation in the region. What will the future identity of the eastern part of the island of New Guinea look like? This future identity has roots in the past, but which past. Is that the past that Indonesia promotes or the past that Papoeans, who are opposed to current Indonesian politics, advocate? Who will decide about this identity, now and in the future. These questions deserve an answer. Above all, they deserve a dialog. A dialog between two independent partners, striving for a reality for the Papoean region. That is human rights at its core. This dialogue will largely determine the future dialogue of the region and will bring Papoyan leaders and beyond closer together and thereby represent the interest of the Papoyans to the fullest. Indonesia established the Indonesian national commission on human rights, back in 1993 [inaudible]. However, this commision has not generally taken up the issue of West Papoea. Now is the time for the Indonesian government to open and facilitate a real dialogue that is open to all Papoean groups and leaders. Thank You.