West Papuan National Flag Day. 1st December
Recent events
The situation in West Papua continues to deteriorate with ongoing armed clashes between the Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) and the Indonesian security forces with causalities on both sides.
The recent military operations have caused large numbers of Papuans to flee in fear from the Indonesian security forces with some crossing the border into PNG
On a number of occasions military helicopters fired rockets and dropped mortar bombs on several villages in Kiwirok in the central highlands near the PNG border.
Up to 200 Catholic priests in Papua have called on the international community, including the United Nations, to play a more active role in bringing peace to West Papua and urged the "UN high commissioner for human rights to come, see and hear the actual human rights conditions in Papua”
The church leaders also called on the Indonesian government to halt the ongoing military operations which have resulted in the killing of civilians, violence and many people being displaced in several parts of Papua. According to Gustaf Kawer, coordinator of the Association of Human Rights Advocates for Papua, at least 60,000 Papuans are still displaced due to the violence.
Human Rights Defenders and activists continue to be harassed and intimidated. Victor Yeimo, a high-profile activist was arrested in May 2021 because of his peaceful involvement in anti-racism protests in 2019 and faces charges of treason. The UN and Amnesty International have both raised concerns about the arrest of Victor and for his treatment in prison.
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Moreland City Council
Celebrating People of West Papua -
Celebrating 60th Anniversary of the Morning Star Flag raising with Morning Tea at the Dag Hammarskjöld Memorial Tree for West Papua.
Moreland City Council invites you to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the West Papuan Morning Star Flag raising with a morning tea at the Dag Hammarskjöld Memorial Tree for West Papua at Balfe Park on 1 December 2021, 10am to 11am.
This is a COVIDSafe event. To attend this event you will need proof of vaccinations and check in via the Moreland Council QR codes.
RSVP is essential, please RSVP by emailing civicevents@moreland.vic.gov.au if you would like to attend.
West Papua Solidarity Gathering: #GlobalFlagRaising Online
On Wednesday 1 December, at 4.30pm (NZDT)
Links to share: Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/events/900641810844236 Tweet, https://twitter.com/PeaceMovementA/status/1461483116309008389
You are invited to join us to fly the Morning Star flag in solidarity with the people of West Papua on Wednesday, 1 December - online this year, in place of the annual gathering at parliament.
During the online gathering, we will be inviting you to display the Morning Star flag and to participate in a sharing circle, facilitated by Emalani Case from Va'aomanū Pasifika, where you will be able to share your messages of solidarity and support for West Papua. Feel free to bring poetry, art, or any other creative expressions you may want to share.
Join us in solidarity with the people of West Papua on 1 December, at 4.30pm (NZDT) by registering at https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/west-papua-solidarity-gathering-online-tickets-214322112207 for the access codes, and invite your friends, family and colleagues to join in too :-)
You can find images of the Morning Star Flag to print or to use as your online backdrop at https://www.freewestpapua.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Morning_Star_flag.pdf or https://www.freewestpapua.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Morning_Star_flag.svg_.png
The annual Morning Star flag raising in Wellington is organised by Peace Movement Aotearoa in association with Youngsolwara Poneke, for further information please contact icanz@xtra.co.nz
Background information
West Papua has been occupied by the Indonesian military since it was handed over, against the will of the indigenous population, to Indonesia in 1963. Since then, the people of West Papua have been subjected to gross human rights violations including rape, torture, cultural genocide, murder and massacre - more than 100,000 West Papuans have been killed. Many live in exile because it is not safe for them to go home.
Multi-national corporations in cahoots with the Indonesian authorities have exploited West Papua's natural resources to an extraordinary degree. This has caused massive social dislocation, devastation of rain forests, pollution of streams and rivers on which the local people depend for their survival, and appalling human rights violations in areas where multinationals operate.
1 December is West Papua Independence Day, this year marking the sixtieth anniversary of the day the West Papuans first raised their new flag, the Morning Star, as the symbol of their forthcoming independence from Dutch colonial rule. In West Papua, people mark Independence Day in a variety of ways, including peaceful gatherings to fly the Morning Star - despite the threat of arrest and murder. In previous years, the Indonesian military and police have responded with increased violent oppression around this day, arresting and killing those they perceive as pro-independence activists. West Papua Independence Day is marked by solidarity events around the world, including here in Aotearoa New Zealand.
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Peace Movement Aotearoa
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