Free West Papua

At 12:30 pm today in Kelburn, Wellington, there was a demonstration outside the Indonesian embassy in protest against the Indonesian government's occupation of West Papua, the killing of its people and the destruction of its land.
Today's protest was in solidarity with another held outside the Indonesian embassy in Canberra. People in Wellington stand in solidarity with those fighting for their lives and freedoms in West Papua.

PAPUA MERDEKA!

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

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 a referendum of West Papuan people as the only peaceful solution to ongoing human rights abuses. 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 3, 6, and 13 March,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. West Papuan people are calling on all good people 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.
>
> REFERENDUM NOW! PAPUA MERDEKA!
>
> For background media documents, and reports on the current situation in
> West Papua and individual cases please visit
>
www.manukoreri.net/west_papua_upheaval<http://www.bebo.com/Link.jsp?Url=...
>
www.freewestpapua.com<http://www.bebo.com/Link.jsp?Url=http://www.freewe...