Sunday, September 15, 2013

Media release- Rallies will go ahead although banned by police.


Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
PO Box 28, Spit Junction, NSW 2088
Media release, 15 September  2013


Rallies will go ahead although banned by police.

Although the  rallies called by the KNPB for the 16 September have been banned by the police, the rallies will go ahead as planned.  

Joe Collins of AWPA said "there is always concern for peaceful protestors taking part in rallies in West Papua as can be seen by the crackdown on recent rallies such as the one on the 1 May in which  3 people were killed and a large number arrested. Peaceful rallies are a way the West Papuan people can bring attention to the human rights situation in West Papua and to the injustice they suffer under Indonesian rule.

The  rallies have being called to celebrate  International Day of Democracy (15 September). In the Mimika region the rallies are also to show support for the MSG  and 
 for the  policies of the Prime Minister of Vanuatu , Mr . Moana Carcases Kalosil to bring the issue of Papua to the UN.


Joe Collins said, there is a danger that those attending the rallies could be charged with (makar) under Articles 106 and 110 of the Criminal Code as was used against the four in Sorong who had simply gathered in a show  of solidarity with the planned visit of the  “Freedom Flotilla”. It should be pointed out that the organisers said the rallies would  be peaceful, urging that no sharp objects or alcohol to be brought tom the rallies. 

Background

 Google translations  of article from the KNPB web page and the local media.
 Be-aware google translations can be a bit erratic.
Original bahasa is above each article





Crackdown on recent rallies

1 May rally called to protest the handover 50 years ago of West Papua by UNTEA to Indonesian administration. photo from  KNPB web site. Three people were killed and  up to 20 arrested.   



 Rally in Fak Fak.  dozens of people including women and children   arrested on the 14 August  as they arrive to attend the cultural parade. 

ends



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