Canberra marks West Papua Day

Congratulations to the West Papuan community in Australia for the inspiring rally outside the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra on the 1st December where the West Papuan national flag the Morning Star Flag was raised.

Over 50 West Papuans gathered outside the embassy (after marching from old Parliament House), to celebrate their national flag day and highlight the ongoing human rights abuses in West Papua.

The proceedings were started by Greens Senator Kerry Nettle who said that the security treaty with Indonesia would not stop The Greens supporting self-determination for West Papua.

West Papuan speakers included Paula Makabory from ELSHAM, the Institute for Human Rights Study and Advocacy. Yamin Kogoya from the young West Papuan community in Dubbo, Jacob Rumbiak West Papuan diplomat and Herman Wainggai ex political prisoner and leader of the asylum seekers.

A wreath was also laid during the ceremony by a member of the local Australian West Papua Association group in Canberra in honor of all the West Papuans who have died as a result of the Indonesian takeover. A copy of the new treaty (unacceptable in its present form) was symbolically torn up by Joe Collins from AWPA (Sydney) at the end of the rally. Thanks also to the Greens for supplying the flag pole and the PA system for the event and to the local West Papuan community in Canberra who organised lunch for all those at the gathering and a Xmas party that evening.

Complimentary to this event letters were sent to The US and Dutch embassies to raise concerns about military aid to Indonesia in the case of the US and urging both countries to send fact finding missions to West Papua to investigate the human rights situation in the territory. AWPA also had an information stall at Bondi beach on Sunday the 26th November where the Pacific Wave festival was held and members of the Pacific communities in Sydney gather to celebrate their cultures. The previous week Paula Makabory and Anne Noonan spoke at the MAPW (Medical Association for the Prevention of War) national committee in Melbourne about the human rights situation in West Papua.

from
Joe Collins
Australian West Papua Association Sydney