West Papua Press Briefing: A Struggle For Survival

WEST PAPUAN PEOPLE'S REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE
P.O. Box 1571, Port Vila, Republic of Vanuatu

MEDIA NOTICE

13 August 2003

WEST PAPUA: A STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL

Press Briefing: Business Centre, Auckland Sheraton Hotel, 11.00am, Thursday, August 14, 2003

Four leading representatives of the struggle for human rights and self-determination in West Papua will speak at a press briefing at the Pacific Islands Forum on Thursday morning.

John Rumbiak, West Papua's leading human rights advocate; John Ondawame, International Spokesperson of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) and Papua Presidium Council Member; Agus Alua, Deputy Secretary, Papua Presidium Council; and Yosepha Alomang, award-winning environmental and human rights campaigner will address the press briefing.

"The people of West Papua are struggling to survive as a people and as a nation in the face of 40 years of brutal Indonesian military oppression," said Mr. Rumbiak.

The speakers will report on the progress they have made in alerting the Forum Leaders to their desperate plight.

The speakers hope that with increasing attention and concern the forgotten Pacific country of West Papua will resume its rightful place in Pacific regional affairs.

An estimated 100,000 people have been killed since West Papua was taken over by Indonesia in 1963.

Photo Opportunity:

- Vigil with West Papuan flags, 5.45pm, opposite Sheraton Hotel, Auckland, as Forum Leaders arrive for cocktail reception, hosted by New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark.

- Vigil with West Papuan flags, 5.15pm, in front of the Beehive, corner Bowen Street and Lambton Quay, Wellington.

For further information: Paul Barber, 021 1357 483.

ends

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