Media release - 1 May. The day the international community betrayed a people

Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

Media release 30 April 2015

The day the international community betrayed a people 

Fifty-two years ago on the 1 May in 1963, the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA) transferred administration of the Dutch colony of Netherlands New Guinea to Indonesia. From the moment Indonesia took over the administration from UNTEA, the oppression of the West Papuan people began and 52 years later the oppression continues and so does the struggle of the West Papuan people for self-determination.  

Joe Collins of AWPA said, "If anybody doubts that the West Papuan people are still struggling for their right to self-determination all they have to do is look at the banners West Papuans continue to carry in their rallies protesting Indonesian rule".

"We never accept Indonesia in West Papua"

"Let us Freedom"

"We want a referendum" 

However, successful campaigning by the West Papuan people supported by civil society organisations, NGOs' church groups is  finally forcing governments to pay attention to what is actually going on in West Papua.  The West Papuan people are using all avenues to progress their cause,  including the UN and in our region the MSG. 

At a historic meeting of West Papuan leaders in Port Vila in December 2014, a new organisation called the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) was formed. The new uniting group submitted their application for membership to the MSG Secretariat in Port Vila, at the beginning of February 2015.  The West Papuan people believe that membership of the MSG will increase their voice and credibility with the international community and in their ongoing struggle for self-determination.

The people of the MSG countries are encouraging their leaders to bring West Papua into the Melanesian family at the MSG. Hopefully the MSG leaders will listen to their people.

The  West Papua National Committee (KNPB) has called on the people of West Papua   to  take  the streets on the 1 May to protest the handover by the UN to Indonesia. 

"Joe Collins said , "the KNPB has been a particular target of the Indonesian security forces in recent years. Lets hope the security forces  allow the rallies to go ahead peacefully".

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