Petition- Help West Papua

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Help to end the genocide in West Papua

The West Papuan people are crying for their freedom – please sign this petition to show your support.
The world’s longest‐running military occupation and genocide has killed more than 500,000 people, and is destroying the world’s second‐largest rainforest and 50,000 years of civilisation. Why haven't more people heard of West Papua?
Here’s one reason: it’s because the Indonesian government doesn’t want you to know. The country’s authorities are working hard to cover up their brutal occupation of this Pacific island nation, just 250km North of Australia. 

Please sign this petition calling for an end to the genocide and a free and fair independence vote for
the West Papuan people.
In 2016 alone eight thousand people ‐ including many children ‐ were arrested just for taking part in independence demonstrations or for raising the West Papuan flag. There are frequent reports of kidnapping and torture by the military and police. Journalists and community leaders are routinely detained and tortured simply for speaking out. 

One West Papuan mother said; “We gave birth and raised the children, only to see them being killed like animals. In the eyes of the Indonesians, we West Papuans are like animal.” 

The Indonesian government strictly controls media and NGO activity, allowing these stories to avoid international attention and continue one of the most brutal “silent genocides” of the 21st century. 

Please sign this petition calling for an end to the genocide and a free and fair independence vote for the West Papuan people.
In 1969, the people of West Papua (situated on the same island as Papua New Guinea) were promised a independence referendum which was violated by Indonesia at gunpoint.
Since then, Indonesia has been occupying the area illegally, killing the indigenous population and bringing in the largest mining companies in the world who are stealing & destroying the natural resources. The people of West Papua have one of the highest poverty rates in the world, and continue to be denied basic freedoms. There is a real fear that without intervention they will lose everything. 

Add your name to the petition NOW!
Thanks to growing international support, the struggle of the West Papuan people is getting more and more attention and there is hope. Now, they’re calling for your help to gain the freedom they were promised over 50 years ago. 

Will you add your name and help us to bring this urgent situation to the United Nations?
Your name will join with others around the world until August 2017, when this petition (with your name) will be swum 69 kms across Lake Geneva by the Swim for West Papua team, and handed straight to the UN.

Please join us and the people of West Papua on this journey by following the story of the Swim team and the petition as it goes around the world @BackTheSwim @FreeWestPapua.

Together we can put an end to this genocide once and for all. 
Thank you.
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/SecretaryGeneral_of_the_United_Nations_Antonio_Guterres_End_the_Genocide_in_West_Papua/?tyqpzlb



Sent by Avaaz on behalf of Free West Papua's petition