Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February 2017, to Questions 61719, what human rights observations and findings Ambassador Moazzam Malik identified during his most recent visit to West Papua; and if he will make a statement.

HMA Moazzam Malik visited Papua province in Indonesia from 14 until 18 November 2017 as part of his regular programme of travel around Indonesia. During the visit, he met local government officials, civil society groups, businesses and local communities. Economic development, sustainable forest management and human rights were all discussed. President Joko Widodo's development agenda for Papua is ambitious and we will continue to support sustainable development across the region. During the visit the Ambassador raised concerns about freedom of expression, media access, and the resolution of past human rights cases. We encourage full investigations into all allegations of abuses.