West Papua Occupation And Ecocide Topic Of Auckland Forum And Film Event

The solidarity group West Papua Action Aotearoa with West Papua Action Tamaki are hosting a public Forum in Auckland March 7 and 8 with international guests from West Papua including environmental champions and film makers operating in militarised zones under considerable risks to their own safety.

“The Forum is an important event with a number of speakers and film makers from West Papua telling the hidden stories of the Indonesian occupation of their country,” says Catherine Delahuntye Dorthea Wabiser of the environmental and human rights group Pusaka, who will focus on the deforestation and displacement of communities in Merauke, West Papua where Indonesia is destroying 2.5 million hectares of rainforest for palm oil, sugar cane, biodiesel, rice and other crops and using military force to silence any dissent from communities. The climate impact of their destruction is incredibly serious as is the use of the military to enforce an end to traditional life, food sources, and forests.

In addition, we will be showing a brand-new documentary film on this issue produced by award winning journalist Victor Mambor and directed by Dandhy Dwi Laksono. They will be present at our Forum to speak about the media situation in West Papua as well as the impact of the Indonesian Government and military on thousands of internal refugees in West Papua plus many communities trying to protect their forests from destruction”

The peaceful resistance of local communities is a powerful story as these people face up to 54,000 Indonesian troops and large companies being assisted by them to make a profit at the expense of a culture older than 60,000.

“These people are our neighbours with a devastating story to tell that our Government and others across the world have chosen to ignore. They have a right to come here and to be heard despite the media bans in Indonesia and the desire of successive New Zealand Governments to ignore structural genocide in our region. “ Ms Delahunty said.

“Only when a NZ citizen was kidnapped by Papuan soldiers did the Government show any interest in West Papua, and this quickly faded once he was safely released thanks especially to West Papuan efforts”. 

Other speakers at the forum include veteran activist and writer Maire Leadbeater, Teanau Tuiono MP, Dr Emalani Case Hawaiian academic, Dr David Robie media expert on West Papua, Dr Arama Rata of Te Kuaka, Dr Nathan Rew (PNG)

Day One of Forum – Old Choral Hall, Auckland University Symonds St 9am – 4pm

World Premiere of “Pesta Babi” Pig Feast documentary – The Academy Cinema Lorne St March 7 6pm

Catherine Delahunty
West Papua Action Tamaki and West Papua Action Aotearoa

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