New Zealand PM Urged to Act Over West Papua

Voxy News Engine

Tuesday, 29 November, 2011 - 11:18

The Indonesia Human Rights Committee is calling on the Prime Minister to contact the Indonesian Government urgently in the light of grave fears of a new security forces crackdown on the people in Indonesian-controlled West Papua.

December 1 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the date when the people first raised their 'Morning Star' flag.

The Netherlands, the colonial power, had agreed on a staged programme to hand over the control of the territory to its indigenous owners. But instead Indonesia succeeded by diplomatic and military means in taking over the country. 100,000 people have lost their lives in the ensuing conflict.

This year the situation is especially fraught in the light of events on a October 19, when the security forces opened live fire on a peaceful assembly in Jayapura, killing at least three participants, and brutally beating and detaining scores of defenceless people.

The Prime Minister should ask the Indonesian Government to ensure that the security forces stay in their barracks so that December 1 can be a peaceful day. He should also make a request for a fact-finding delegation and urge Indonesia to allow entry to international journalists and human rights monitors at this critical time.

In solidarity with the people of West Papua the Morning Star will be raised in Auckland close to the Town Hall on Q ueen St at midday on Thursday December 1 and at 1 p.m. tin Wellington at Parliament Grounds. David Clendon MP will raise the flag in Auckland.

ENDS