Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Indonesian counterpart on reports of mass arrests of West Papuans in( a) Surabaya and (b) Jayapura.

We are concerned about recent reports of disturbances in Surabaya and Jayapura. We urge parties to refrain from violence and respect the rule of law.

Our Officials at the Embassy in Jakarta, including the Ambassador, visit Papua regularly. Officials also press the Indonesian authorities to address legitimate human rights concerns. This includes upholding the right of all citizens to peacefully protest, and ensuring the sustainable and equitable development of Papua. We will continue to monitor developments.