Tuesday, December 5, 2017

1) The consequences of Friday's peaceful protest

2) Indonesian minister wants Papua activists arrested

3) Juffa wants to give Oro land to West Papuans

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http://dailypost.vu/news/the-consequences-of-friday-s-peaceful-protest/article_cb577c3d-f20e-56ec-a626-13d7509aa495.html

1) The consequences of Friday's peaceful protest

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A win for the ‘little guys’ was marked on the notch of the West Papuan belt as they rallied for a peaceful protest last Friday on the streets, and joined by the young and old advocators of an independent West Papua.
Chants of ‘Free West Papua’ and ‘Papua Merdeka’ rung on a Friday afternoon as an orchestra of arbitrary symphonies tagged along; from string bands to little horns, the Morning Star Flag waived side by side the National colours as the protest gained in numbers on its way to Crow’s Nest area for the handover of an official West Papuan headquarters in the country.
However, with such events, one can only imagine the dreadful repercussions it would have on the indigenous people in West Papua.
In an interview with Yamin Kogoya, a member of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, he mentioned that they are fully aware of the consequences of their actions but “it is a risk that we have to take”.
“We know that every time that we do this kind of event, more lives in Papua are at risk, and there’s more violence, imprisonments, and also deaths, this is the retaliation from the Indonesian state, the Indonesian military forces. We are fully aware of the repercussions and the consequences of these sort of actions of these events, but this is a brave action that we have to take to the world, if we do not take this sort of risk, then in the next 10 to 20 years there will not be a single Papuan alive in Papua,” Mr. Kogoya alleged.
Many who leave West Papua, don’t usually return, but for Daniel Randongkir and Menase Tabuni, members of ULMWP who left for West Papua on Saturday after the protest, are returning without an ounce of fear and expect to be severely disciplined by the Indonesian Military.
Mr. Tabuni explained that he is aware of how dangerous it would be returning but isn’t afraid – “Yes very dangerous, but we experience this generation to generation, so why fear now? We are fighting the truth, one day the truth will defend itself”.
Mr. Randongkir added: “Maybe they can arrest me or shoot me, we don’t care, we are committed to the struggle, we give our life to the struggle.”
A David and Goliath feat lays ahead for the West Papauns, after 56 years of determined and motivated protest, the voice of the movement is only growing stronger.
Although it may seem like they are fighting a losing battle; the question was tossed at ULMWP member Mr. Kogoya to which he replied, “It’s like an elephant fighting an ant, if an ant gets into the elephant’s ears for long, at the end the elephant will give up”.

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https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/345463/indonesian-minister-wants-papua-activists-arrested

2) Indonesian minister wants Papua activists arrested

12:17 pm today 
Indonesia's Minister of Defence has called for members of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua to be arrested when they return to the country.

The pro-independence organisation has just concluded a summit in Vanuatu, where the UK-based activist Benny Wenda was elected its new chairman.
Vanuatu's government also donated a building in Port Vila to the Movement for its use as a Pacific regional headquarters.
While the Movement has observer status in the Melanesian Spearhead Group, Indonesia's government is opposed to it representing Papuans internationally, as well as its pro-independence activities.
A number of the Movement's executive members live in exile, but some of those who had travelled to Vila for last week's summit face possible arrest when they return to the Indonesian-ruled Papua region.
According to Indonesian media, the Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said that those involved in the summit should be arrested on their return.
He also expressed disappointment at the involvement of diplomats from Melanesian countries who actively support the Liberation Movement.
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3) Juffa wants to give Oro land to West Papuans
9:48 pm GMT+12, 03/12/2017, Papua New Guinea

Northern Governor Gary Juffa says he would allocate land for West Papua people with PNG citizenship to settle in his province.
 
“Some are now residing in Northern and I also urge other provinces to allow West Papuans who are now PNG citizens to settle in their provinces,” Juffa said.
 
During the 53rd West Papuan flag-raising ceremony in Port Moresby on Friday, Juffa also committed K5000 (US$1,557) for next year’s anniversary.
 
The event held at the Jack Pidik Park was to commemorate West Papuans’ independence from their Dutch colonisers in 1964 before their annexing as an Indonesian province. The annexing did not go down well, with some being forced to flee across border to live in PNG.
 
Meanwhile Jean Parkop, wife of National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop, has urged Papua New Guineans to help the West Papuans to get their citizenship and National Identification Cards.
 
Parkop, who is also a West Papuan Freedom activist, said: “The government has done its part to allow West Papuans to get their citizenships freely.
 
“So let’s help and allow them to settle on our land. That is the only way we can help them. Let them stay and take part in our political issues. Let them stay and contribute to our economy until they return to their homes.”.

SOURCE: THE NATIONAL/PACNEWS
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