Has Australia Govt Handed Back Papuan Refugees?

West Papua Independence Day: Government hands back Papuan refugees to Indonesia.

West Papua Independence day, Dec 1, this year marks a sad and angry time following reports that refugees Yunus Wainggai and 7 year old daughter Anike arrived in Jakarta following their disappearance from their Collingwood home on Sat 15th November.

Mr Wainggai and his daughter are two of 43 West Papuan refugees who escaped West Papua under Indonesian military control by canoe and landed on the shores of Cape York in 2006 seeking asylum. They were granted temporary refugee status, and filed their application for permanent residency in Australia just two days before their disappearance.

West Papuan community member Richard Rumbiak, who will be speaking on this day, states; “We believe they have been coerced by Indonesian sources who operate here and manipulate West Papuans here. Myself as Indigenous West Papuan am very concerned about that, even overseas, in Australia. “

No one from the community has heard from Mr Wainggai (whose phone has been disconnected), as well as his lawyer, despite claims Mr Wainggai asked to speak with him.

Where: Indonesia Consulate. 72 Queens Rd, Melbourne. 11:00 am.

“Dec 1 marks a celebration of the anniversary of the morning star, the independence movement of West Papua and to reinstate our commitment for Papua independence. The four of the 43 who have returned for their personal reason have probably been coerced by the Indonesian government and their Papuan agents, and will not change the situation in West Papua, which has always driven our independence movement.“ Richard Rumbiak.

ends

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