The following speech was given by Conservative MP, Robert Courts, to open the first-ever House of Commons debate on West Papua. I beg to move, That this House has considered human rights in West Papua. It is an honour to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Hollobone. I am delighted to have been granted this extremely.

The UK Parliament held a comprehensive hour-long debate into West Papuan human rights on Wednesday. Members of Parliament (MPs) from numerous political parties in the UK noted the historic violation of West Papua’s right to self-determination, raised concern over system human rights abuses by Indonesian security services, and called for the UK government to review.