Jakarta: Indonesia has taken the "unusual" step of blocking foreign diplomats from visiting strife-torn Papua, citing security concerns following weeks of violence and ethnic conflict.

The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age has confirmed diplomats from the British, Canadian and New Zealand embassies have all asked Kemlu, Indonesia's foreign ministry, in the last month for permission to visit Papua. All their requests were denied.

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has also been blocked from visiting Papua - despite being invited by the Indonesian government back in February 2018. The organisation is still lobbying for permission to visit.

Burnt out vehicles in a car park after Monday's violent protest in Wamena, Papua province, Indonesia. Credit:AP

The Herald and The Age has also learned that diplomats from Australia and the United States have not asked permission from the Indonesian government to enter Papua since the violence flared, fearing such a request would be frowned on in Jakarta and cause a diplomatic headache.