Security treaty with Indonesia shouldn't be signed

Security treaty with Indonesia should not be signed

Senator Nettle, today, called on the Federal Government to suspend plans for a new security treaty with Indonesia in light of continuing revelations of abuses in West Papua.

She also called for the two month military exchange 'Kartika Exchange 06' between the ADF and Indonesian army beginning this month to be halted.

"Every day there is more reports of military abuses coming out of West Papua. Last night SBS Dateline reported on increased Indonesian military operations on the border with Papua New Guinea and in some cases incursions into PNG."

"I am concerned at reports that the treaty will include military cooperation, intelligence sharing, joint naval and surveillance patrols, and expanded exchanges and joint training exercises at a time when the Indonesian military are increasing repression in West Papua."

"At the same time as the government's new migration laws are shutting the door on West Papuan refugees they are seeking to finalise a treaty that will assist their abusers."

"The reports we receive about military activities in West Papua follow a similar pattern to what happened in East Timor prior to Independence.

"Australia should not be cooperating with the Indonesian military until personnel who have been implicated in human rights abuses elsewhere in Indonesia and East Timor have been tried and punished for these horrendous crimes.

The Greens will move a motion in the Senate next week calling on the government to suspend treaty negotiations until allegations of human rights abuses have been investigated and finalised.

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