West Papua

[In the highlands town of Wamena (pictured), shops and businesses closed as thousands of Papuans rallied on July 8 to call for a referendum on independence from Indonesia. Photo: westpapuamedia.info.]
By Jacques Friedman, Intercontinentalcry.org
An unprecedented mass demonstration took place on July 8 in Jayapura, the capital of Indonesian-occupied West Papua, Straighttimes.com said that day.
Thousands of people joined a long march, walking 17 kilometres from the Papua People’s Assembly (MRP) to the Papuan Provincial Legislature (DPRP) to reject the “special autonomy” granted by Indonesia in 2001. Protesters demanded a referendum on West Papuan independence and an internationally-mediated dialogue with Jakarta.

[Rally for West Papuan independence in Port Vila, Vanuatu, March 5. Vanuatu will officially sponsor the case of West Papua in the International Court of Justice. Photo: Asia-pacific-action.org.]
By Ash Pemberton, Green Left Weekly
June 27, 2010 -- Indonesian military forces have stepped up their campaign of repression in West Papua in recent months. But leaders of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) continue to defy Indonesian demands to surrender.
The campaign for West Papuan independence has been amplified by the continuing repression and lack of improvement of living standards under the current “special autonomy” system.

From the Australia West Papua Association
Recent media reports have indicated that the Indonesian security forces are preparing for a military operation in the Puncak Jaya regency. The local government in the Puncak Jaya region has called on the TPN/OPM (Free Papua Movement) operating in the area to surrender, otherwise the TNI and police will undertake operations to pursue, capture and crush them. A deadline of the 28 June has been given to the OPM to surrender.
The authorities also claim that outsiders and foreign citizens are also with the OPM. They have called on anybody who has joined the OPM to return home. It was also reported that before the military operation it would first evacuate all citizens residing in the Tingginambut district to avoid casualties.

Statement by the Australia West Papua Association
May 18, 2010 -- A military operation is taking place in the Puncak Jaya region of West Papua. Security forces are conducting a sweep (operation) in the area to pursue members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM). During the operation a member of the Free Papua Movement was killed in the Kampung District Goburuk Yamo, on Monday. According to a police public relations officer the OPM member was shot because he refused to surrender. The security forces claim they have also seized a number of weapons and ammunition during the operation and they are continuing their pursuit of the OPM.

Statement by the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation
24 March 2010 -- Indonesia police arrested 26 people of West Papua who took part in a peaceful march demanding a referendum in Waena, Jayapura yesterday. 15 people were arrested and are now in police custody:
Slamet Kosay, Ani Awek, Yason Sambom, Warius Wetipo, Werianus Kogoya, Oteran Kogoya, Yusuf Weani, Taris Kulla, Emson Kogoya, Elias Donami, Isak Nawipa, Kassy Tabuni, Ruth Youw, Ademus Wenda, Elly Yikwa.

The Vanuatu Free West Papua Association held a rally on March 5 in Port Vila in support of West Papuan independence from Indonesia.

Protesters marched to the head office of the National Council of the Chiefs where they delivered a petition in support for West Papuan self-determination signed by more than 1100 people.

[Statement by the Australia West Papua Association Sydney - March 1, 2010.]
The Australia West Papua Association in Sydney has written an open letter to Prime Minister Rudd asking that he raise the human rights situation in West Papua with the Indonesian President during his March visit.

Tony Iltis, Green Left Weekly
6 February 2010 -- On January 27, 1500 people marched in Timika demanding a referendum on the future status of West Papua, a former Dutch colony that has been occupied by Indonesia since 1962.
The rally took place without being attacked, despite recent violent incidents in the area.

Statement by the International Youth Coalition for the Liberation of West Papua (IYCL-WP)
International Youth Coalition for the Liberation of West Papua (IYCL_WP) is representative body of all world youth movement that have a strong commitment to struggling for self-determination of West Papuan. The principal of movement is non-violent struggle against to liberalism, colonialism, militarism, indigenous marginalization, discrimination, human rights violations, and all forms of genocide, and colonial rule of special autonomy as well.

Statement by the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation - January 26, 2009

Baseless accusations have always been directed towards the OPM/TPN when any killings or shootings happened around the mining area. The recent shooting on Mile 60 on 24th January 2010 was not exceptional case.
In the past few years, the Indonesian military and Freeport security forces always accused Kelly Kwalik as masterminding behind those killings and shootings. Consequently, he became main target and finally he was killed on 16th December 2009. On the other account, nine freedom fighters were arrested and sentenced to many years in Jakarta without having any fair trail. Today, the same accusation is directed towards the OPM.