Minister for Foreign Affairs Rimbink Pato

This follows the attendance of the PNG delegation led by Foreign Affairs Minister, Rimbink Pato, to the United Nations General Assembly meeting where several Pacific Island nations raised the West Papua issue.

Minister Pato responded, during a media conference today, saying that PNG’s position has been clear as announced during various regional meetings.

“We have a very strong relationship with government and people of Indonesia, we have a whole range of agreements and treaties that govern our relationship,” said Pato.

Minister Pato and the Chief Migration Officer, Mataio Rabura, are also challenging an application filed by the transferees’ lawyer, Ben Lomai, seeking summary judgment.

The transferees are seeking summary judgment from the Supreme Court that also covers compensation their illegal detainment, following the five-man Supreme Court bench ruling on April 26.

The hearing of the two applications, filed by the State, is set for Oct 27 before a three-judge bench.