Posted on March 19th, 2008 by Nick. Categories: Uncategorized.
PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY
MEDIA ALERT and CALL OUT - WEST PAPUA
REFERNDUM NOW! END THE REPRESSION!
INDONESIA, STOP THE KILLINGS!
INDONESIAN MILITARY OUT OF WEST PAPUA!
43 West Papuan Political Refugees call for international protection in West Papua
EMERGENCY ACTION, 12PM MARCH 25, INDONESIAN EMBASSY CANBERRA
As the world’s attention is on the brutal repression in Tibet, the same story is happening in West Papua right now. For the last few weeks in many centres across West Papua, protests and resistance have been escalating against Indonesian repression of West Papuan people and culture. Since the beginning of March, peaceful actions and rallies have been held almost daily calling on the Indonesian government to stop killings and military operations against civilians, and calling for Referendum of West Papuan people as the only peaceful solution to ongoing human rights abuse. In an occupied Land less than 130 kilometres from Australia, West Papuan students have been bravely facing off heavily armed military and ongoing intimidation by police, intelligence and military to protest their treatment, and have raised the banned Morning Star Flag, which has resulted in brutal treatment.
Many people have been arrested for defying Indonesian genocidal rule, and currently at least 16 political leaders are in prison on Suharto era charges of Rebellion and Subversion. We hold grave fears for their safety in prison, as they are at high risk of torture and ill-treatment. Since the peaceful assemblies on March 3, 6, and 13, thousands of family members of West Papuan political activists have been living under intimidation and terror, given the past record of repression and killings of West Papuan people. Currently, anyone who displays the Morning Star flag is arrested and interrogated, even Grandmothers making traditional carry bags. We have also received information that two key activists are being hunted by the Indonesian military currently, and are in hiding.
The solution posed by the international community, Special Autonomy, has failed through the direct sabotage and corruption of Indonesian government and military officers. The West Papuan people gave it a chance to be implemented, it failed, the Indonesian government lied, so now West Papuans want a Referendum. The Indonesian security forces are out of control, and will not stop until they have gained total compliance. There is legitimate concern that the Indonesian military will seek to intensify its actions against all West Papuans, and will be arresting all people involved in peaceful assembly.
That is why we need to call on the Australian government, to help facilitate or conduct Round Table Peace Talks between West Papuan People and the Indonesian government in Canberra or a neutral country.
West Papuan People are calling on Australian’s of good heart to stand together to help bring international attention to the repression and killings inside, and for Indonesia to allow a Referendum so West Papuans can decide for themselves on their future.
Please join us ….in an emergency solidarity action on 25 March in Canberra outside the Indonesian Embassy, and also delivering a letter to Kevin Rudd’s government.
Where: Indonesian Embassy, 8 Darwin Avenue, Yarralumla, Canberra
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(c) Nick Chesterfield 2006
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