Octo Mote is a West Papuan journalist who fled his homeland in fear of his life after acting as a mediator in a dialogue between the Indonesian Government and the “Group of 100” West Papuans tasked with discussing the province’s future. Since 1999, Mr Mote has been living in exile in the United States where he has been involved in a major lobbying and public awareness raising campaign focusing on the issues of West Papuan self-determination and human rights.

Journalist and academic Octo Mote, intends to tour Australia in 2006. Mr Mote will be speaking at a range of events about his experiences as a West Papuan journalist – from the repression of the Suharto regime to continuing Indonesian military impunity in West Papua. Mr Mote will also discuss prospects for peace-building, steps towards resolving the conflict and the future role of the Australian government and public.