West Papuan activists leave Australian consulate in Bali 'voluntarily' after scaling wall

The three West Papuan activists climbed the wall of the Australian consulate in Bali in the early hours of Sunday morning.
(AAP: Supplied by Rinto Kogoya)

Greg Jennett in Nusa Dua ABC News 6 October 2013

Report in English

Three West Papuan activists who occupied Australia's consulate in Bali have left the compound after making pleas for the Government to take up their cause.

Student activists Rofinus Yanggam, Yuvensius Goo and Markus Jerewon climbed the wall of the consulate in the early hours of this morning.

They say they "took refuge" there and brought a letter addressed to the Australian people.

In it, they asked Prime Minister Tony Abbott to push the Indonesian government to release at least 55 political prisoners jailed in Indonesia's disputed Papua region.

The letter also called for greater press freedom for international journalists reporting on the province.

Trade Minister Andrew Robb, who is in Bali, says the men did not seek asylum.

"They left voluntarily so the matter's been resolved," he said.

The incident, which threatened to put pressure on Australia's diplomatic relations with Indonesia, came as foreign leaders met in Bali for the APEC summit.

Earlier, West Papuan academic Dr Clinton Fernandes said Australia's Consul-General threatened to expel the three men.

"The information that I have from human rights groups in South Indonesia is that the Consul-General in Bali, Mr Brett Farmer, is threatening the Papuans with Indonesian police action," he said.

"He's ordered [them] to leave otherwise, they say he'll call the Indonesian police and have them thrown out."

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon called on Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to grant sanctuary for the activists.

"I think it is absolutely critical that Australia's Foreign Minister does not make a call to the consulate in Bali expelling these three young men," he said.

Mr Abbott, who arrives in Bali today, has assured Indonesia's president that Australia respects the country's sovereignty and territorial boundaries.

Australia ino ken givim tripla West Papua ektivist igo long Indonesia

Greg Jennett in Nusa Dua/Caroline Tiriman Radio Australia 6 October 2013

Despla askim i bihaenim pasin em tripla West Papua ektivist i mekim long go insaet long Australia consulate long Bali tede.

Tripla West Papuan sumatin husat ibin kalap igo insaet long Australia consulate long bali, Indonesia tede long moning (Credit: AAP)

Odio: Dr John Ondowame, West Papua lida long Pacific

Despla tripla West Papuan pipal husat ibin kalapim banis blong consulate ibin lusim despla ofis bihaen long oli bin givim bikpla askim blong ol igo long gavman long halvim ol wantem ol bikpla askim na wari blong ol.

Ol despla sumatin, Rofinus Yanggam, Yuvensius Goo na Markus Jerewon ibin kalapim banis blong consulate long bik moning tede.

Despla tripla sumatin ibin go insaet long consulate long bringim wanpla pas igo long ol pipal blong Australia.

Insaet long despla pas blong ol, oli bin askim Praim Minista Tony abbott long toktok strong long Indonesia long rausim samting olsem 55 ol politikal kalabusman long Papua rijan.

Indonesia ibin kisim nating West Papua long ol yiar 1960's na oli lukautim iet long despla taem.

Despla pas blong ol i askim tu long Indonesia imas larim ol niusman-meri blong wold long go raon na lukluk long provins blong ol.

Dr John Ondowame, West Papua lida long Pacific itok Australia ino ken givim ol despla ektivist igo long Indonesia long wonem emi wari nogut Indonesia bai kalabusim ol oa kilim ol.