Green State Vision

West Papua independence leaders launched their ‘Green State Vision’ at COP26 in Glasgow, pledging to take decisive action to address the climate emergency and impact of natural resource extraction in an independent West Papua.

The Green State Vision was drafted with the assistance of international lawyers including UK-based barrister Jennifer Robinson of Doughty Street Chambers. It sets out commitments from West Papua’s ‘government-in-waiting’, including:

Making ecocide a serious criminal offence
Restoring guardianship of natural resources to indigenous authorities, combining Western democratic norms with local Papuan systems
‘Serving notice’ on all extraction companies, including oil, gas, mining, logging and palm oil, requiring them to adhere to international environmental standards or cease operations.

Environmental and Social Protection

The Green State will be driven by the needs of society and the environment, rather than the economy.

Instead of focusing on economic growth and ‘development’, the laws and policies of the Green State will be oriented towards restoring and protecting the environment, and maintaining balance and harmony in and amongst people and the environment.

Customary Guardianship

The Green State will devolve guardianship of lands, forests,waters and the natural environment.

Important decisions will be made by customary authorities in accordance with indigenous knowledge and customary values and norms, supported by appropriate laws,policies, institutions, and technical and financial resources, and taking into account international standards and principles of environmental protection and management.

Democratic Governance

The Green State will combine features of the modern democratic State with this customary and community based approach.

This includes a representative Legislator, an effective, responsive and accountable Executive Government, and an independent and impartial Judiciary, effective protection of human rights, including the rights of women, children and minority racial, ethnic, tribal and religious groups.

West Papua as a Green State is a vision for “Making Peace with Nature in the 21st century”, first in West Papua, then across our Pacific Islands family of countries and territories, and finally with international partners.

West Papua

West Papua is the western half of the island of New Guinea, bordering the independent nation of Papua New Guinea, it lies just 200km north of Australia, and is home to one of the oldest-surviving indigenous populations on earth.

‘The unlawful occupation of West Papua by Indonesia is facilitating the destruction of one of the world’s most important rainforests. Ensuring West Papua’s right to self-determination will also ensure the protection of the environment and the climate by allowing the Indigenous custodians of the land to take back control, protection and management of their resources.’

Jennifer Robinson Doughty Street Chambers

‘This is a critical step towards protecting one of the world’s largest rainforests from catastrophic destruction caused by the illegal Indonesian occupation. The Indonesian government and military, supported by BP, are using violence, intimidation and murder to silence the indigenous inhabitants.’