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Sunday, December 1, 2024
Media statement 63 Years of Resistance: A Call for Pacific Solidarity to Stand for West Papua’s Freedom, Self-Determination, and Human Rights
63 Years of Resistance: A Call for Pacific Solidarity to Stand for West Papua’s Freedom, Self-Determination, and Human Rights
Media Statement
Pacific civil society organisations (CSOs) and solidarity movements are reminding Pacific leaders of their longstanding responsibility to West Papua, and to urgently address the ongoing gross human rights abuses.
This 1st of December, 2024, commemorates 63 years since the Morning Star flag was first raised in West Papua to signify the territory’s sovereignty. Yet Indonesia’s annexation of the territory, military occupation, and violent oppression, gross human rights violations on West Papuans continue to be ignored internationally and unfortunately by most Pacific leaders.
The deepening relations between Pacific states and Jakarta reflect how far the false narrative Indonesia has peddled of itself as a morally upright, peace-loving, and benevolent friend of the Melanesian people and of the Pacific, has infiltrated our governments and institutional perceptions.
The corresponding dilution of our Leaders’ voice, individually and collectively, is indicative of political and economic complicity, staining the Pacific’s anti-colonial legacy, and is an attack on the core values of our regional solidarity.
The Pacific has a legacy of holding colonial powers in our region to account. The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders communiques in 2015, 2017, and 2019 are reflective of this, deploring the violence and human rights violations in West Papua, calling on Indonesia to allow independent human rights assessment in the Territory, and to address the root causes of conflict through peaceful means. In 2023, PIF Leaders appointed Fiji and Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Ministers, Rabuka and Marape respectively to facilitate such constructive engagement with Indonesia.
As PIF envoys, both Prime Ministers visited Indonesia in 2023 on separate occasions, yet they have failed to address these concerns. Is this to be interpreted as regional political expediency or economic self-interest?
Today, torture, discrimination, extrajudicial killings, unlawful arrests, and detention of West Papuans continue to be rife. Approximately 70,000 Papuans remain displaced due to military operations. Between January and September this year, human rights violations resulted in a total of over 1300 victims across various categories. The most significant violations were arbitrary detention, with 331 victims in 20 cases, and freedom of assembly, which affected at least 388 victims in 21 cases. Other violations included ill-treatment (98 victims), torture (23 victims), and killings (15 victims), along with freedom of expression violations impacting 31 victims. Additionally, cultural rights violations affected dozens of individuals, while intimidation cases resulted in 15 victims. Disappearances accounted for 2 victims, and right to health violations impacted dozens. This surge in human rights abuses highlights a concerning trend, with arbitrary detention and freedom of assembly violations standing out as the most widespread and devastating.
The commemoration of the Morning Star flag-raising this 1st of December is a solemn reminder of the region’s unfinished duty of care to the West Papuan people and their struggle for human rights, including the right to self-determination.
Clearly, Pacific leaders, including the Special Envoys, must fulfill their responsibility to a region of genuine peace and solidarity, and thereby rectify their unconscionable response thus far.
They must do justice to the sixty-three years of resilient resistance by the West Papuan people under violent, even deadly repression. We call on leaders, especially the Prime Ministers of Fiji and PNG, not to succumb to Indonesia’s chequebook diplomacy and other soft-power overtures now evident in education, the arts, culture, food and agriculture, security, and even health sectors.
We remind our Pacific leaders of their responsibility to sixty-three years of injustice by Indonesia, and the resilience of the West Papuan people against this oppression to this day.
In solidarity with the people of West Papua, we demand that our Leaders:
- Honor the resolutions of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and PIF, which call for a peaceful resolution to the West Papua conflict and the recognition of the rights of West Papuans;
- Take immediate and concrete action to review, and if necessary, sanction Indonesia’s status as a dialogue partner in the PIF, associate member of the MSG, and as a party to other privileged bilateral and multilateral arrangements in our Pacific region on the basis of its human rights record in West Papua;
- Stand firm against Indonesia’s colonial intrusion into the Pacific through its cheque-book and other diplomatic overtures, ensuring that the sovereignty and rights of the people of West Papua are not sacrificed for political or economic gain; and
- PIF must take immediate action to establish a Regional Human Rights Commission or task force, support independent investigations into human rights violations in West Papua, and ensure accountability for all abuses.
Endorsed By:
- Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG)
- Youngsolwara Pacific
- Hawaiʻi Peace & Justice
- Pacific Women Mediators Network (PWMN)
- Vanuatu Human Rights Coalition
- Vanuatu Young Women For Change
- Vatu Mauri Consortium
- Anne’s Community Health School and Nursing Services
- Vanuatu Indigenous Network Association
- Melanesian Indigenous Land Defence Alliance (MILDA)
- Pacific Conference of Churches Secretariat and 35 member denominations and 11 national councils of churches.
- GPPAC Pacific
- West Papua Action Tamaki
- West Papua Action Aotearoa
- Reanga Taketake, Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa
- Kaiawhina, Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa
- Pacific Centre for Peacebuilding (PCP)
- Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
- Diverse Voices and Action (DIVA) for Equality, Fiji
- Pacific Feminist Community of Practice
- Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN)
- ELSHAM Papua
- Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS)
- Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and our allies
- Free West Papua Campaign Aotearoa
- Te Kuaka Aotearoa
- Our Common Wealth 670, Northern Mariana Islands
- Transcend Oceania
For further media inquiries, please contact:
- Anne Pakoa – Vanuatu Human Rights Coalition (+678 5563073)
- Semi Turaga – Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (+679 9984590)
- Rev. Mathias Adadikam – ELSHAM Papua (+62 82125235740)
- Catherine Delahunty – Free West Papua Campaign Aotearoa (+64 212421967)
- Rosa Moiwend – Pacific Network on Globation (PANG) (+679 3316722)
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1) Papuan Students' Protest in Jogja: Reject Transmigration in Papua
2) Papua was introduced to the world as a nation ready for independence on December 1
3) Interim President: West Papua Independence Day Speech,
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1) Papuan Students' Protest in Jogja: Reject Transmigration in Papua
Reporter Eiben Heizar
December 1, 2024 | 09:26 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Alliance of Papuan Students (AMP) held a student demonstration on Jalan Kusumanegara, Jogja City, on Sunday, December 1, 2024. They conveyed several demands to the government of Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
Based on Tempo monitoring, this demonstration has been ongoing since 09:30 WIB (Western Indonesian Time). The crowd filled the intersection area of Jalan Kusumanegara. During the oration, the demonstrators voiced their rejection of the regular transmigration program in Papua planned by President Prabowo Subianto.
"This program is a form of slow destruction of the existence of indigenous Papuans. Through this policy, the Indonesian government is trying to wash its hands of the structural poverty issues resulting from land grabbing in various regions," said one of the participants of the demonstration.
In addition, they also expressed rejection of the National Strategic Projects (NSP) policy that has been ongoing since the Jokowi administration. The demonstrators criticized NSP as a step towards strategic industry and high-value infrastructure development managed jointly by the government and oligarchy.
AMP, together with the Indonesian People's Front for West Papua, conveyed several demands in this demonstration. They requested the cessation of the transmigration program to Papua, rejection of the Special Autonomy policy, and cessation of the formation of new autonomous regions.
"We also call for the right to self-determination as a democratic solution for West Papua, the unconditional release of political prisoners, and the withdrawal of all military personnel from the region. Additionally, we reject national strategic projects such as rice field and sugarcane plantation in Merauke that seize the customary lands of Papuan society," said one demonstrator in his speech.
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A Google translate.
Original Bahasa link
2) Papua was introduced to the world as a nation ready for independence on December 1
Kristianto Galuwo Last updated: December 1, 2024 9:59 pm
Author: Abeth You Editor: Kristianto Galuwo
Enarotali, Jubi – December 1, 1961 was the day when the West Papuan nation was introduced to the international world, as a nation ready for independence. This is what has been continuously fought for to be recognized all this time, as conveyed by the Supreme Commander of the West Papua Army or WPA concurrently Commander of the TPNPB OPM Division II Pemka IV Paniai, Damianus Magai Yogi, Sunday (1/12/2024).
"The independence initiative was born from a political manifesto made by members of the National Committee consisting of Nicholaas Jouwe, E.J. Bonay, Nicholaas Tanggahma and F. Torey on October 19, 1961," he said.
As the person in charge of the three military wings, namely the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), the West Papua Revolutionary Army (TRWP) and the West Papua National Army (TNPB), they have commemorated the 63rd anniversary of West Papua's independence at their headquarters, attended by thousands of troops.
In the manifesto, the National Committee urged the Dutch government to give West Papua the right to stand alone as an independent nation. In addition, the National Committee has also determined that the name West Papua will later be used, after gaining independence from the Netherlands.
For its own people, the National Committee named it the Papuan nation.
Meanwhile, the religious song entitled "Hai Tanahku Papua" was used by the National Committee as the national anthem of West Papua. Then for the national flag, the Morning Star symbol will be used.
"We, the Papuan people, demand to get our own place. Just like the independent nations among those nations, we, the Papuan people, want to live in peace and help maintain world peace," the manifesto reads.
The initiation of West Papua's independence was also recognized by the Dutch government. The momentum of the recognition fell exactly on December 1, 1961. So the December 1 celebration was purely to celebrate the beginning of the Papuan state that had been announced by the Netherlands.
He emphasized that the West Papua Army, TPNPB, TNPB, and TRWP were ready to sue foreign crimes such as UNTEA and the colonial Republic of Indonesia in the land of Papua.
"Basically, no matter how hard and heavy our life is, it must be passed with patience. If that can be done, it will certainly make us grow and become better people and advance towards victory," he said.
Fighting for the sovereignty of the state of West Papua
Damianus Magai Yogi said that the struggle to defend the sovereignty of the state is certainly no longer in doubt.
"The soldiers are always ready to sacrifice their lives and bodies to defend the homeland," he said.
His party as the West Papua Army has an obligation to defend sovereignty. According to him, it is enough if the army firmly upholds this obligation, moreover as soldiers, discipline must be upheld.
"Don't easily slip in times like this, all fraud and irresponsible issues that are visible or hidden can be passed safely, if we are vigilant and act as patriots," he said.
He said that his party would defend its independence, as hard as possible. Not even an inch of land will be handed over to the opponent, but will be defended to the fullest.
"Although we are not afraid of the opponent's threats, we must always be ready," he said.
"Maintain the TPNPB OPM, maintain our armed forces, do not let them be controlled by any political party. Remember, that our soldiers are not mercenaries, not soldiers who are easily diverted. We join the army because of our spiritual awareness and willingness to sacrifice for the nation and state,” he said.
According to him, devotion is not about rank and position but about sincerity and honesty. The only national property that is still intact, even though it has to experience all kinds of changes, is the armed forces.
For that, the struggle must be based on holiness. He believes that a holy struggle will always receive help from God.
“I am a soldier. The army is the guideline of life, the Sapta Marga. We are West Papuan patriots, supporters and defenders of the ideology of the West Papuan state who are responsible and do not know surrender. The peace of the nations cannot be safe without weapons. The army cannot be maintained without pay, and likewise pay cannot be generated without taxes,” he said.
He said brave men rejoice in adversity, just like brave soldiers who win in war. Victory is usually only for officers and soldiers who continue to train.
“WPA is strong, great, professional, ready to realize a sovereign, independent, and distinctive West Papua. Never feel tired for your nation. Give your best with your abilities and hard work. Protect us and our beloved country. West Papua is ours, never let it be owned by the puppet allies of Indonesia,” he said.
Damianus Magai Yogi said that the struggle given by the ancestors for the country and the Papuan people was so great, so the momentum of December 1 as the independence day for the Papuan people is in line with the recognition of independence by the Dutch government in 1961.
“Together with the people, and the West Papua Army is strong. Continue to serve the nation and state,” he said.
The struggle of the West Papuan people must be based on holiness. He believes that a holy struggle always receives help from God.
“Able to defend the sovereignty and independence of the West Papuan nation, which was proclaimed on December 1, 1961, to the last drop of blood. We are soldiers, we fight where we are told, and we win where we fight,” he said. (*)
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3) Interim President: West Papua Independence Day Speech,
December 1st 2024 December 1, 2024 in Speech
Below is the full version of the speech that ULMWP Interim President Benny Wenda gave while opening the Oxford Green Fair at Oxford Town Hall on December 1, 2024.
In the name of Yahweh, in the name of the West Papuan ancestors, in the name of the bones of our suffering, I would like to open this December, this day of celebration and reflection, by remembering all those West Papuans who have been killed over the last year.
Thank you to the Green Party for inviting me to open this Fair, and particularly to Lord Mayors Craig and Elise. The Green Party is a natural ally of West Papua and our Green State Vision. Thank you to Oxford City Council for always welcoming me, and to all parties on the Council. The Free West Papua campaign was born in this city.
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December 1st is the day the West Papuan nation was born.
On this day 63 years ago, the New Guinea Council raised the Morning Star across West Papua for the first time. We sang our national anthem and announced our Parliament, in a ceremony recognised by Australia, the UK, France, and the Netherlands, our former coloniser. But our new state was quickly stolen from us by Indonesian colonialism.
This day is important to all West Papuans. While we remember all those we have lost in the struggle, we also celebrate our continued resistance to Indonesian colonialism.
On this day in 2020, we announced the formation of the Provisional Government of West Papua. Since then, we have built up our strength on the ground. We now have a constitution, a cabinet, a Green State Vision, and seven Executives representing the seven customary regions of West Papua.
Most importantly, we have a people’s mandate. The 2023 ULMWP Congress was first ever democratic election in the history. Over 5000 West Papuans gathered in Jayapura to choose their leaders and take ownership of their movement. This was a huge sacrifice for those on the ground. But it was necessary to show that we are implementing democracy before we have achieved independence.
The outcome of this historic event was the clarification and confirmation of our roadmap by the people. Our three agendas have been endorsed by Congress: full membership of the MSG, a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights visit to West Papua, and a resolution at the UN General Assembly. Through our Congress, we place the West Papuan struggle directly in the hands of the people. Whenever our moment comes, the ULMWP will be ready to seize it.
I want to remind the world that internal division is an inevitable part of any revolution. No national struggle has avoided it. In any democratic country or movement, there will be differing views and approaches.
But the ULMWP and our constitution is the only way to achieve our goal of liberation. We are demonstrating to Indonesia that we are not separatists, bending this way and that way: we are a government-in-waiting representing the unified will of our people. Through the provisional government we are reclaiming our sovereignty. And as a government, we are ready to engage with the world. We are ready to engage with Indonesia as full members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, and we believe we will achieve this crucial goal in 2024.
The importance of unity is also reflected in the ULMWP’s approach to West Papuan history. As enshrined in our constitution, the ULMWP recognises all previous declarations as legitimate and historic moments in our struggle. This does not just include 1961, but also the OPM Independence Declaration 1971, the fourteen star declaration of West Melanesia in 1988, the Papuan People’s Congress in 2000, and the Third West Papuan Congress in 2011.
All these announcements represent an absolute rejection of Indonesian colonialism. The spirit of Merdeka is in all of them.
The new Indonesian President, Prabowo Subianto, is a deep concern for all West Papuans. He has already sent thousands of additional troops to West Papua and restarted the illegal settlement programme that has marginalised us and made us a minority in our own land. He is continuing to destroy our land to create the biggest deforestation project in the history of the world. This network of sugarcane and rice plantations is as big as Wales.
But we cannot panic. The threat from Prabowo shows that unity and direction is more important than ever. Indonesia doesn’t fear a divided movement. They do fear the ULMWP, because they know we are the most serious and direct challenge to their colonial grip.
I therefore call on all West Papuans, whether in the cities, the bush, the refugee camps or in exile, to unite behind the ULMWP Provisional Government. We work towards this agenda at every opportunity. We continue to pressure on United Nations and the international community to review the fraudulent ‘Act of No Choice’, and to uphold my people’s legal and moral right to choose our own destiny.
I also call on all our solidarity groups to respect our Congress and our people’s mandate. The democratic right of the people of West Papua needs to be acknowledged.
Prabowo has also mentioned an amnesty for West Papuan political prisoners. What does this amnesty mean? Does amnesty mean I can return to West Papua and lead the struggle from inside? All West Papuans support independence; all West Papuans want to raise the Morning Star; all West Papuans want to be free from colonial rule.
But pro-independence actions of any kind are illegal in West Papua. If we raise our flag or talk about self-determination, we are beaten, arrested or jailed. The whole world saw what happened to Defianus Kogoya in April. He was tortured, stabbed, and kicked in a barrel full of bloody water. If the offer of amnesty is real, it must involve releasing all West Papuan political prisoners. It must involve allowing us to peacefully struggle for our freedom without the threat of imprisonment.
Despite Prabowo’s election, this has been a year of progress for our struggle. The Pacific Islands Forum reaffirmed their call for a UN Human Rights Visit to West Papua. This is not just our demand – more than 100 nations have now insisted on this important visit. We have built vital new links across the world, including through our ULMWP delegation at the UN General Assembly. Through the creation of the West Papua People’s Liberation Front (GR-PWP), our struggle on the ground has reached new heights. Thank you and congratulations to the GR-PWP Administration for your work. Thank you also to the KNPB and the Alliance of Papuan Students, you are vital elements in our fight for self-determination and are acknowledged in our Congress resolutions. You carry the spirit of Merdeka with you.
I invite all solidarity organisations, including Indonesian solidarity, around the world to preserve our unity by respecting our constitution and Congress. To Indonesian settlers living in our ancestral land, please respect our struggle for self-determination. I also ask that all our military wings unite under the constitution and respect the democratic Congress resolutions. I invite all West Papuans – living in the bush, in exile, in refugee camps, in the cities or villages – to unite behind your constitution. We are stronger together.
A special thank you to Vanuatu government and people, who are our most consistent and strongest supporters. Thank you to Fiji, Kanaky, PNG, Solomon Islands, and to Pacific Islands Forum and MSG for reaffirming your support for a UN visit. Thank you to the International Lawyers for West Papua and the International Parliamentarians for West Papua. I hope you will continue to support the West Papuan struggle for self-determination. This is a moral obligation for all Pacific people. Thank you to all religious leaders, and particularly the Pacific Council of Churches and the West Papua Council of Churches, for your consistent support and prayers.
Thank you to all the solidarity groups in the Pacific who are tirelessly supporting the campaign, and in Europe, Australia, Africa, and the Caribbean.
I also give thanks to the West Papua Legislative Council, Buchtar Tabuni and Bazoka Logo, to the Judicative Council and to Prime Minister Edison Waromi. Your work to build our capacity on the ground is incredible and essential to all our achievements. You have pushed forwards all our recent milestones, our Congress, our constitution, government, cabinet, and vision. Together, we are proving to the world and to Indonesia that we are ready to govern our own affairs.
To the people of West Papua, stay strong and determined. Independence is coming. One day soon we will walk our mountains and rivers without fear of Indonesian soldiers. The Morning Star will fly freely alongside other independent countries of the Pacific. Until then, stay focused and have courage. The struggle is long but we will win. Your ancestors are with you.
Happy anniversary. God Bless West Papua.
Benny Wenda
Interim President
ULMWP Provisional Government
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